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Pharmacies and Medicine in China: What Foreigners Need to Know

⏱ 5 min read · Updated 2026

Types of Pharmacies in China

  • Hospital pharmacies (医院药房): Located inside hospitals. You get prescriptions filled here after your doctor visit. International hospitals stock common Western medications.
  • Retail chain pharmacies (连锁药店): e.g., 大参林, 老百姓, 国大药房. Found on most streets. Carry both Chinese and some imported medications.
  • Specialty/foreign pharmacies: Some pharmacies in expat areas stock imported medications and have English-speaking staff.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Common OTC medications available in China:

  • Pain/fever: Paracetamol (扑热息痛), Ibuprofen (布洛芬), Aspirin (阿司匹林)
  • Cold/flu: Day & Night Cold Medicine, various Chinese cold remedies
  • Stomach/digestive: Antacids, activated charcoal, rehydration salts
  • Allergies: Cetirizine (西替利嗪), Loratadine (氯雷他定)
  • First aid: Bandages, antiseptic, antibiotic cream

Note: Medication packaging is primarily in Chinese. Use a translation app or ask the pharmacist. Brand names differ — bring a list of active ingredients, not brand names.

Prescription Medications

  • Antibiotics require a prescription (though enforcement varies)
  • Psychiatric medications: Strict controls — bring your prescription and doctor's letter
  • Controlled substances: China has very strict drug laws. Some medications legal abroad are controlled or banned in China

Bringing Medications into China

If you need to bring personal medications into China:

  • Carry a doctor's letter (in English, ideally with Chinese translation) stating the medical necessity
  • Bring medications in original packaging with prescription labels
  • Declare medications at customs if asked
  • Bring a supply for your stay — refilling foreign prescriptions locally can be difficult
  • Check China's controlled substance list — some common ADHD, anxiety, and pain medications are prohibited

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

TCM pharmacies (中药房) are everywhere. If you're curious about TCM, consult a licensed TCM practitioner at a hospital — don't self-prescribe. Some herbs interact with Western medications.

Vaccinations

Routine vaccinations are available at international hospitals and some public health centers. Yellow fever vaccination is available at designated centers (required for entry from endemic countries).