Health prep: first-aid card & prescriptions

China's medical system and entry rules are different from those in Europe and North America. Before departure, spend about ten minutes preparing two things. They can save you major trouble if you get sick or go through customs: one. a health card to carry with you two. a doctor's letter for prescription medicines. This section explains how to prepare them. These are your private details, so please prepare them yourself and keep them yourself; we only provide the method, do not fill it in for you, and the platform does not collect or store any personal health data. ⚠️ This article is for travel reference only and does not constitute medical or legal advice; follow your doctor's advice and the current regulations of China Customs.

1Personal Health Card to Show Medical Staff

Why Prepare One

Most ordinary hospitals in China do not have English services. In an emergency, you may not be able to explain clearly, or may not be able to speak at all. A Chinese-English bilingual health card lets medical staff understand within seconds who you are, what you are allergic to, and what medical conditions you have. This is often critical information for treatment.

What to Prepare

Make it bilingual in Chinese and English, and include:

Identity: name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport number, blood type (including Rh +/-), and preferred language.
Allergy history (most important): medicine allergies (such as penicillin), food allergies (such as peanuts / seafood), and others (latex / contrast agent, etc.); whether you have ever had a severe allergy / anaphylactic shock, and whether you carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen).
Chronic conditions / medical history: such as high blood pressure, diabetes (whether insulin is used), heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, etc.; major surgeries or implants (stent, pacemaker, etc.).
Long-term medicines: write the generic name (active ingredient name), not only a foreign brand name, and include dose and frequency.
Emergency contacts: name, relationship, and phone number with country code (two contacts are recommended).
Travel medical insurance: insurer, policy number, and 24h assistance phone number.
Other: whether pregnant (gestational week), organ donation wishes, etc.
One sentence for medical staff (can be shown directly):

中文：你好，我是外国游客，中文不流利。这是我的健康信息卡，请帮助我；如需要，请联系我的紧急联系人或保险公司。 English: Hello, I am a foreign visitor and don't speak Chinese well. This is my health card. Please help me, and if needed, contact my emergency contact or my insurer.

How to Use It Safely

Print one copy and carry it with you + save a screenshot on your phone, in a place that is easy to reach or open.
Write key items (allergies, blood type) large and clearly visible.
Update it whenever your information changes (new medicine, new allergy).

💡 This card is "you, as shown to medical staff"; phrases such as "please help me call 120" are for asking passersby for help and belong in Help Card — Point to These, Ask a Stranger for Help. The two cards serve different purposes.

2Bringing Prescription Medicines and a Doctor's Letter

Four Core Principles

Carry medicines with you: keep regular medicines in your carry-on luggage, and keep the original packaging and labels.
Bring documentation: carry an English prescription or doctor's letter stating the medicine name (generic name), dose, course of treatment, and diagnosis.
Bring a reasonable amount: only bring an amount for personal use within a reasonable treatment period (common travel advice is no more than about one month's supply, but this is a reference and not an official unified limit; larger amounts may lead to questions about use).
Be careful with controlled ingredients: some prescription medicine ingredients that are common in Europe and North America are controlled / prohibited in China. See the table below.

What the Doctor's Letter Should Include

Patient name and passport number
Diagnosis
Medicine generic name / ingredient, strength, daily dose, and total amount carried
Explanation of medical necessity
Doctor's name, signature, medical institution, contact information, and date

English writing is recommended; adding a brief Chinese translation will make things smoother (not mandatory).

⚠️ China Controlled / Prohibited Ingredient Reminder (High Risk)

The following ingredients are common prescription / OTC medicines in many countries, but are strictly controlled or prohibited in China. Before carrying them, verify carefully and prepare all documentation; if necessary, do not carry them. The current regulations of China Customs are the final authority.

Category	Ingredients involved (examples)	Risk notes
Opioid pain relief	可待因 Codeine, 曲马多 Tramadol, 羟考酮 Oxycodone, 吗啡 Morphine	Controlled narcotic / psychotropic medicines; procedures and risk are high, so confirm with the embassy / consulate or customs before carrying
Psychiatric / sleep medicines	阿普唑仑 Alprazolam (Xanax), 地西泮 Diazepam (Valium), 唑吡坦 Zolpidem (Ambien)	Category II psychotropic medicine control; prescription + documentation required, and excess quantity is high risk
Stimulants / ADHD	哌甲酯 Methylphenidate (Ritalin), 安非他明类 Amphetamine (Adderall)	Amphetamine-type substances are high-risk controlled substances in China; confirm before carrying; if you rely on them, discuss alternatives with your doctor before travel
Ephedrine-containing combinations	伪麻黄碱 Pseudoephedrine (some cold medicines)	Controlled; carrying large quantities is sensitive
Cannabis-related	大麻 Cannabis, CBD (cannabidiol), THC	Products containing cannabis / THC / CBD or synthetic cannabinoids are all high risk and are not recommended to carry; oils / gummies / skincare products / vape liquids are also included

🚩 Any product containing CBD / cannabis ingredients (supplements, skincare products, vape liquids) is high risk and not recommended to carry; ADHD amphetamine-type medicines (such as Adderall) are high-risk controlled substances. Before travel, discuss alternatives with your doctor and confirm with the embassy / consulate or customs.

Special Medicines

Insulin / cold-chain medicines: carry them with you, prepare a portable cooling bag, bring the prescription and airline medical item documentation, and bring needles together while keeping the prescription.
Injectables / injections: carrying needles requires a doctor's letter.
Inhalers (asthma): carry them with you and keep the original packaging.
Contraceptive pills / hormones: generally, a personal-use quantity can be carried; keep the packaging.

What to Do If You Are Asked About Medicines at Entry

Proactively show your prescription / doctor's letter and the original medicine packaging.
Explain the purpose using the ingredient name (generic name), not only the brand name.
Cooperate with inspection; if you have questions, you may request contact with your country's embassy or consulate.
If a medicine is judged not allowed to carry, cooperate with the handling process and do not argue or hide it.

Refilling / Replacing Medicines in China

Foreign prescriptions cannot be filled directly in China; a Chinese doctor must issue a new prescription.
You can visit a public hospital / 医院国际部 (hospital International Department) / 涉外门诊 (foreign-related outpatient clinic) / foreign-invested clinic and have a doctor issue a Chinese prescription.
For chronic-condition medicines, it is recommended to bring enough with you and not rely on getting the exact same brand after arrival.