Prescription and non-prescription medicines: How to check global rules by country
Travelling abroad for leisure, study or work? Getting sick is the last thing you want, but it still happens -especially in winter. So what do you do when it does? The answer is not as simple as going to a pharmacy and picking up the medicine you know works for you.
Every country has its own rules, even within regions that share trade agreements or cultural ties. When you know how prescription and non-prescription medicines differ, and how governments regulate them, you can travel with more confidence and make better choices for your health.
What are prescription medicines?
Prescription medicines are treatments that you can only get after a healthcare professional approves them. A doctor, dentist, nurse prescriber, or another licensed clinician must check your condition and decide if the medicine fits your needs. You cannot legally buy these medicines without a valid prescription.
Why you need a prescription
You need a prescription for medicines that may:
- cause serious side effects
- interact with other drugs
- require medical tests before or during use
- need careful dosing
- treat long-term or complex conditions
Examples include antibiotics, antidepressants, heart medicines, asthma inhalers, and strong pain relievers.
The prescription system protects you by making sure you receive the right dose and the right medicine. It also helps doctors track your progress and adjust your treatment if something changes.
Where you can buy prescription medicines
You can buy prescription medicines only from registered pharmacies or approved online pharmacies. Some countries require a paper prescription, while others use electronic systems. A pharmacist may also check your ID or ask questions to make sure the medicine is safe for you.
What are non-prescription (OTC) medicines?
Non-prescription medicines, often called over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, are treatments you can buy without a prescription. You usually take them to manage short-term or mild health problems.
Common examples
You often use non-prescription medicines to treat:
- headaches
- colds and flu symptoms
- mild allergies
- stomach acid
- small cuts and skin irritation
These medicines contain ingredients that experts consider safe when you follow the instructions. Even so, you should read the label carefully every time you use them. Dosages can change, and different brands may include different active ingredients.
Where you can buy non-prescription medicines
Depending on the country, you may find non-prescription medicines in:
- chemists
- supermarkets
- petrol stations
- airports
- online shops
Some countries also have “pharmacy-only” medicines. These medicines do not need a prescription, but you must buy them from a pharmacist who checks your symptoms first.
Regulatory frameworks by region
Medicine laws help protect public health, but the rules vary greatly between regions. You might expect areas like the EU or the UK and Ireland to follow identical systems, but this is not the case. Each government decides which medicines require a prescription and how pharmacies can sell them.
North America
United States:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls medicine classifications. Medicines are either prescription or non-prescription medicines, and some move from prescription to non-prescription medicines after long periods of safe use. The USA also has some “behind-the-counter” medicines, such as pseudoephedrine, which require ID but not a prescription.
Canada:
Canada uses more categories. It includes prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines, and medicines that must be sold inside a pharmacy even when no prescription is needed. Some medicines that don’t require a prescription in the USA may require pharmacist involvement in Canada.
European Union
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) offers guidance, but each EU member state sets its own rules. A medicine that doesn’t require a prescription in Spain might require onein Denmark. A painkiller sold freely in Poland may be more restricted in Belgium.
Travellers often assume the EU follows one system, but this is not true. You must check each country individually, even if you travel between neighbouring states.
Latin America
Rules vary widely. Some countries enforce strict regulations, while others allow easy access to strong medicines that should require prescriptions. In some areas, people buy antibiotics, steroids, or non-prescription sedatives, even though laws say they should not. This creates risks for both individuals and public health.
Middle East and North Africa
Some countries use strict systems similar to Europe, while others sell many non-prescription medicines, including strong treatments for infections, allergies, or chronic illness. Regulations may shift quickly, so you should always check local rules before travelling.
Asia-Pacific
Australia and Japan run some of the strictest regulatory systems in the region.
- Australia divides medicines into prescription, pharmacist-only, pharmacy-only, and general retail. (Pharmacy-only medicines can be sold by a trained pharmacy assistant, and you don’t always need to talk to the pharmacist. Pharmacist-only medicines must be given directly by a pharmacist).
- Japan uses a three-level system for non-prescription medicines based on risk.
Other countries have looser systems, and rules may vary between regions or provinces.
Africa
Some African nations follow strong regulatory standards. Others face challenges with enforcement or supply. In many regions, pharmacists act as first-line healthcare providers, which means they may sell medicines that require prescriptions elsewhere.
Distribution channels and accessibility
Medicine access depends on local laws, healthcare systems, and pharmacy networks.
Buying prescription medicines
You must buy prescription medicines from licensed pharmacies. You often need:
- a paper or electronic prescription
- identification
- a consultation with the pharmacist
Some countries allow approved online pharmacies, but counterfeit medicines are a serious risk on unregulated websites.
Buying non-prescription medicines
Non-prescription medicines are easier to buy. You may find them in many retail settings, and in some places you can even buy them from vending machines. However, stronger non-prescription medicines may still require you to speak to a pharmacist before purchase.
Risks and public health considerations
Risks of misusing prescription medicines
If you take prescription medicines without proper supervision, you can face:
- harmful side effects
- addiction
- incorrect dosing
- legal issues while travelling
- masking serious health conditions
Risks of misusing non-prescription medicines
Non-prescription medicines also carry risks when misused. You can:
- overdose on pain relievers
- mix medicines that contain the same ingredients
- interact with prescription drugs
- delay needed medical care
Why governments regulate medicines
Strong medicine laws help:
- prevent misuse
- stop antibiotic resistance
- protect vulnerable groups
- ensure safe quality
- maintain public trust in the health system
How to check medicine requirements by country
You should always check medicine laws before travelling or buying medicines abroad. A medicine that doesn’t require a prescription in one country may be prescription-only somewhere else. The rules can change even between EU member states.
Why the EU is not uniform
The European Medicines Agency gives advice, but EU countries still choose how to classify medicines. This means rules differ, packaging differs, and pharmacy systems differ.
Finding medical care in Belgium for Residents and Expats
To show how large these differences can be, here is a useful comparison.
Ireland vs Greece: A clear example
Ireland follows a stricter approach. Many medicines that don’t require a prescription in other countries are “pharmacy-only” or even prescription-only.
- A pharmacist may need to ask you questions before selling even basic medicines.
- Some cold and allergy medicines require a prescription due to ingredient controls.
Greece, however, uses a more flexible system.
- Many medicines that require a prescription in Ireland are sold without a prescription in Greece.
- Some are available in larger pack sizes.
- Pharmacists often have more freedom to supply medicines after a short consultation.
This difference matters if you live in one country and travel to another. You may expect to buy a familiar non-prescription medicine in Greece, and you may be surprised when you cannot get the same product in Ireland without a prescription.
Steps to check local regulations
1. Search the national medicines agency
Look up the agency responsible for drug regulation. For example:
Search “[country] + drug rules” or “[country] + medicine classification”.
2. Check the medicine name online
Type the brand name or active ingredient along with the country name. Many national databases list whether the medicine doesn’t require a prescription or is prescription-only.
3. Ask a local pharmacist
Pharmacists understand local laws and can explain whether the medicine you want needs a prescription. They can also recommend legal alternatives.
4. Review travel guidelines
Some countries restrict the amount of medicine you can bring, even when it is legal. Others ban certain drugs entirely. Check your destination’s embassy website for details.
5. Use official online tools
Some countries offer medicine lookup systems. You can use translation tools if the site is not in English.
