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Buying medicine at a pharmacy

What you can buy over the counter and how to show what you need.

Checked 29 Jun 2026 3 min read Written by the YOLO HAPPY team
How we keep this accurateEvery fact here was checked against official sources on the date above. Rules change — if you spot something out of date, tell us and we'll fix it within a day.

This guide explains how to find a pharmacy in China, how to communicate with a pharmacist, and what to watch out for when buying medicine. ⚠️ We do not choose medicines for you or provide dosage instructions. What to buy and how much to take should follow the medicine package insert and the advice of a licensed pharmacist / doctor. This article is for process reference only and does not constitute medical advice.

1Where to Buy

  • Look for shops with signs such as "药房" (pharmacy), "药店" (drugstore), or "大药房" (large pharmacy). They are common in cities.
  • Convenience stores and supermarkets do not sell medicine (at most, they may sell a small number of health supplements).
  • Pharmacies usually have long opening hours. Big cities have 24-hour pharmacies; in a map app, search for "药店 24 小时".
  • Prescription medicine requires a doctor's prescription and is often bought at a hospital pharmacy or at a pharmacy with a valid prescription.

2Labels to Know in a Pharmacy

  • Blue "OTC" on the package = OTC (over-the-counter) medicine, available without a prescription.
  • Red "OTC" = OTC medicine, but it requires more caution; it is better to ask the pharmacist.
  • "处方药 / Rx" (prescription medicine / Rx) = a doctor's prescription is required; you cannot buy it on your own.
  • Most pharmacies have a 执业药师 (licensed pharmacist) on site. If you have any questions, ask the pharmacist directly. This is the most reliable and safest approach.

3How to Communicate with the Pharmacist

If you do not speak Chinese, that is okay. The easiest method is to use a translation app: translate your symptoms or the medicine name you want into Chinese and show it to the pharmacist. Typed text or voice both work, and this is accurate and flexible. Also:

  • If you cannot explain clearly, ask the pharmacist to recommend something: describe where you feel unwell, or point to the area for the pharmacist, and let the pharmacist help choose the medicine. Leaving the choice to a professional is the safest option.
  • If you already know what you want to buy, give the generic name: for example, ibuprofen or loratadine. Show the pharmacist the English generic name (active ingredient name).
  • Use the ingredient name, not the brand name: give the ingredient name / generic name, not only a foreign brand name. Chinese pharmacists can usually match the ingredient, but they may not know overseas brands.

4Important Cautions

  • Read the package insert and ask the pharmacist about dosage. Do not estimate the dose based on past experience, because formulations and concentrations differ by country.
  • Tell the pharmacist about allergies and medicines you are currently taking. This is especially important if you are allergic to certain medicines or are taking long-term medication, to avoid interactions.
  • Watch out for duplicate ingredients. Many Chinese combination cold / cough medicines already contain 对乙酰氨基酚 (acetaminophen). Do not add a single-ingredient fever reducer on top of them, or you may overdose and harm your liver.
  • Check ingredients before taking medicines home. Some Chinese cough medicines contain 可待因 codeine, and some cold medicines contain 伪麻黄碱 pseudoephedrine. These are restricted for entry in many countries, so do not casually bring them back with you. For details, see Health Preparation Before Travel: Emergency Card and Prescription Medicines.
  • Payment: most pharmacies accept WeChat Pay / Alipay, and some larger stores accept bank cards.
  • Keep the original packaging and receipt, especially if you plan to take the medicine back to your home country.

5Do Not Self-Medicate in These Situations. See a Doctor Instead.

  • Symptoms are severe, do not improve, or are getting worse.
  • Severe allergy (difficulty breathing, facial swelling, shock). This is an emergency. Call 120 immediately; do not rely on buying medicine.
  • Persistent high fever, bloody stool, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, serious injury, and similar symptoms.
  • For pregnant people, breastfeeding people, children, and people with chronic conditions, consult a doctor or pharmacist first.

    For the medical visit process, see How to Get Medical Care in China: A Guide for Foreign Visitors.