Buying Over-the-Counter Medicine in China: Pharmacies, Apps & Useful Phrases

✅ Updated May 2026

Pharmacies (药店) are common in China and many everyday medicines are sold over the counter without a prescription. Bring the generic drug name or a photo of the box — brand names differ from home, and the pharmacist can suggest an equivalent. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine are available. Prescription-only drugs require seeing a doctor first, and a translation app helps a lot here. Show the pharmacist the Chinese name or a photo. Useful ones: ibuprofen 布洛芬, paracetamol/acetaminophen 对乙酰氨基酚, cold & flu 感冒药, sore throat lozenges 润喉片, anti-diarrhoea 蒙脱石散, oral rehydration salts 口服补液盐, antihistamine/allergy 氯雷他定, antacid 抗酸药, motion sickness 晕车药. Many basics need no prescription and are cheap.