Your first trip to a Chinese pharmacy can be frustrating. Unless you are at an international clinic, few products will be labelled in English. You are also unlikely to see brands you know or trust. Items as basic as Pepto-Bismol, full-strength aspirin, and cold medications are difficult or impossible to find. It’s best to bring these products from home in sufficient quantity for your stay, as well as any medications you might take regularly (with the original prescriptions if possible). Most international hospitals and clinics have well-stocked pharmacies, but prices can be higher than at home.

If you find a medicine’s chemical name, or ask your doctor for help, it is possible to find the Chinese equivalent, which can be much cheaper than the foreign versions. Fake medicine can be an issue, so stick to government-run facilities or pharmacies attached to a hospital (though even these have not escaped counterfeit medicines). Some weak or old antibiotics are sold over the counter, which can make treating seasonal flu cheaper and easier.