Taiwan – Prescriptions and Medications

What are pharmacies called in Taiwan, and how do I recognise one?

In Mandarin, pharmacies in Taiwan are referred to as 藥局 (yào jú) — dedicated establishments focused on dispensing pharmaceutical products and providing healthcare advice. You may also encounter the term 藥房 (yào fáng), which typically denotes a more general medicine shop. Licensed dispensing pharmacies authorised to fill NHI prescriptions display the 藥局 sign and are required by law to have a qualified pharmacist on the premises at all times.

Pharmacies are found throughout cities and towns across the island and are easy to identify thanks to the green cross symbol prominently mounted outside. This emblem — familiar to many expats from Europe and other parts of Asia — is frequently illuminated and positioned above the entrance, making it simple to spot from a distance even if you cannot yet read the Chinese characters on the signage.

In addition to dedicated pharmacies, popular health and beauty retail chains such as Watsons and Cosmed operate pharmacy sections offering vitamins, wound care products, and over-the-counter medicines. Staff at these outlets receive pharmaceutical training and are well placed to help customers select appropriate products. These chains are spread widely across Taiwan’s cities and shopping areas and are instantly recognisable by their distinctive branded facades.

Taiwan is also home to a large number of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shops, stocking herbal remedies and supplements. These establishments are particularly sought out for complaints such as digestive troubles, and their staff are knowledgeable about the properties of the various herbs they carry. TCM shops are quite distinct from Western-style pharmacies and do not, as a rule, dispense NHI prescription medications.

What are pharmacy opening hours in Taiwan?

Most pharmacies in Taiwan operate Monday to Saturday between approximately 09:00 and 21:00 or 22:00, with a number also opening on Sundays. Hours differ between individual branches and locations, so it is worth confirming with your nearest pharmacy — particularly if you are based in a smaller town away from the main urban centres.

For situations requiring medication outside standard hours, prescriptions obtained from a hospital emergency department can be dispensed at the hospital’s own pharmacy, which operates around the clock. This means that if you receive treatment at a major hospital late at night or on a public holiday, you can collect your prescribed medicines during the same visit without having to wait until morning.

Convenience stores across Taiwan — including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Hi-Life — maintain a solid selection of over-the-counter products such as pain relievers, cold and flu preparations, digestive remedies, and antihistamines. Their round-the-clock trading hours make them a practical resource at any time. While they do not stock prescription medicines or employ pharmacists, they serve as a genuinely useful option for addressing minor ailments at any hour of the day or night.

Taiwan does not run a formal rotating duty pharmacy system of the kind seen in parts of continental Europe. Instead, the combination of late-closing pharmacies, always-open hospital dispensaries, and convenience stores well stocked with basic OTC products ensures that obtaining medication outside regular hours is generally straightforward for residents of urban areas.

Which medicines can I buy over the counter in Taiwan, and which require a prescription?

Taiwan categorises medicines into three groups: prescription-only (處方藥), behind-the-counter (指示藥), and over-the-counter (成藥). Common products available without a prescription include paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines, cold and flu remedies, antacids, cough syrups, topical antiseptics, and standard vitamins. Notably, oral contraceptive pills can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription in Taiwan — a departure from the practice in many countries where a doctor’s authorisation is obligatory.

Certain medicines that are prescription-only in other parts of the world are obtainable over the counter in Taiwan, making the pharmacy network more accommodating for people seeking to manage common, self-limiting health issues independently. That said, stronger antibiotics, controlled substances, and most medications for chronic diseases do require a valid prescription issued by a licensed physician in Taiwan.

Taiwanese pharmacists are highly trained and are well positioned to guide you toward the most suitable OTC product for your symptoms. Do not hesitate to explain what you are experiencing — particularly in urban areas, many pharmacists have at least some capacity to communicate in languages beyond Mandarin.

Regarding online purchasing, domestic online pharmacies in Taiwan do handle certain OTC products, but prescription medications cannot lawfully be dispensed without a valid prescription obtained in person from a licensed practitioner. Importing medicines ordered from overseas online pharmacies carries considerable legal and safety risks. For prescription drugs, always rely on a registered local pharmacy or an authorised hospital dispensary.

Will my prescription from another country be accepted in Taiwan?

Taiwan has no mutual recognition agreements with other nations covering prescriptions. A prescription written by a doctor in your country of origin will not ordinarily be honoured by a Taiwanese pharmacy for dispensing purposes. To have medication dispensed here, you will need a prescription issued by a physician licensed to practise in Taiwan.

That said, a foreign prescription is a highly useful document to bring along when consulting a Taiwanese doctor. Present the original packaging of any medicines you currently take, together with a translated or summarised list of your drugs and dosages. Physicians here can draw on this information to evaluate your needs and produce an equivalent local prescription, often at your very first appointment.

As a newly arrived expat, you are not required to register with a particular GP before seeking medical care. Taiwan operates an open-access model: patients can consult any doctor without a referral and may attend any level of hospital or clinic as they see fit. This flexibility makes it straightforward to obtain a prescription shortly after arriving, with none of the lengthy registration procedures common in some other countries. Major hospitals in cities such as Taipei that cater to international patients frequently employ multilingual staff to assist foreign visitors.

If you depend on regular medication for a chronic health condition, it is strongly advisable to arrive in Taiwan with a sufficient supply from your home country to bridge the transition period, along with documentation from your treating doctor, while you get your local healthcare arrangements in place.

How do I get a prescription in Taiwan?

Obtaining a prescription in Taiwan is a relatively uncomplicated process. Because the system is open-access, you may attend any clinic, GP surgery, or hospital without prior registration or a referral. Once you have enrolled in the NHI, you will receive a smart card (健保卡, jiànbǎo kǎ) that identifies you as an insured person and must be presented at every medical visit.

1. Select a clinic or hospital: Attend any licensed clinic (診所, zhěnsuǒ) or hospital. For straightforward prescription needs, a neighbourhood clinic is typically quicker and less congested than a large hospital. Larger, busier hospitals attract higher co-payments — seeing a GP at a local clinic is considerably cheaper.
2. Present your NHI card: Every enrolled person holds an IC smart card (健保卡) that confirms their insured status, holds a brief medical history, and facilitates billing to the national insurer — bring it without fail to every appointment.
3. Consult the doctor: Describe your condition and bring any previous prescription or medication packaging from overseas as a point of reference. The doctor will examine you and, where appropriate, issue a prescription.
4. Take your prescription to a pharmacy: You may have it dispensed at the clinic or hospital’s own dispensary, or take it to any community pharmacy displaying the 藥局 sign. Prescriptions in Taiwan are not locked to a particular pharmacy.
5. Collect your medication and pay: Pay the relevant co-payment and receive your medication, which typically comes with instructions in Chinese. If you need clarification on dosage or usage, ask the pharmacist to explain.

The validity period of a prescription varies according to the type of medicine involved. Chronic disease prescriptions (慢性病連續處方箋) may be issued to cover up to 90 days and allow patients to collect medication in portions from a participating community pharmacy — a practical arrangement for people managing ongoing conditions who would prefer not to make frequent hospital visits.

How much do prescriptions cost in Taiwan, and is there a subsidised medicines scheme?

The NHI is a mandatory social insurance programme, and all Taiwanese nationals as well as foreign nationals residing in Taiwan with an Alien Resident Certificate are legally obliged to participate. Once enrolled, the NHI covers the overwhelming majority of prescription medicines at heavily subsidised prices, meaning patients pay only a modest co-payment rather than the full retail cost of a drug.

When insured patients seek medical care, they are not required to pay the full cost of treatment — healthcare providers claim reimbursement directly from the NHIA, with patients settling only the applicable co-payment and registration fee. This model shares broad similarities with publicly funded systems such as the NHS in the United Kingdom or Medicare in Australia, though Taiwan’s co-payment levels tend to be lower and there is no equivalent of an annual prepayment certificate for prescriptions.

From July 2023, revised prescription co-payment rules came into force under the NHI. Adjustments were applied to co-payments at regional hospitals and medical centres, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare indicating that the intent is to steer patients with stable chronic conditions toward neighbourhood clinics. A surcharge of NT$10 was introduced on the price of prescription medications costing NT$100 or less when dispensed at regional hospitals and medical centres. Co-payments at smaller clinics remain lower. Always verify the current co-payment schedule via the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), as figures are subject to revision.

The NHI medicines formulary accounts for roughly 90 per cent of the market. Medications sitting outside NHI coverage — including certain newer drugs, off-label applications, or specific imported brand-name products — must be paid for entirely out of pocket and can be substantially more expensive. There is no annual cap on NHI prescription co-payments equivalent to the UK’s Prescription Prepayment Certificate, but because individual co-payments are low, total out-of-pocket spending on NHI-covered medicines remains very affordable for most people.

Are brand-name and generic medicines both available in Taiwan?

Both branded and generic medicines are widely accessible in Taiwan, and the NHI actively promotes the use of generics. The NHIA supports the timely entry of generic drugs and biosimilars into the market in order to broaden prescription options and contain costs. In practice, a considerable proportion of medicines dispensed under the NHI are generics, and the system is structured to favour these where suitable alternatives exist.

In general terms, the reimbursement price for a brand-name medicine is set by benchmarking against the reimbursement prices for that product in ten developed countries, while the reimbursement price for its generic counterpart is fixed at approximately 80 to 85 per cent of the brand-name figure. For patients paying out of pocket — that is, for drugs outside NHI coverage — this pricing gap between branded and generic products can be considerably more pronounced.

Doctors in Taiwan commonly write prescriptions using brand names, but pharmacists may supply an approved generic equivalent listed under the same NHI reimbursement tier. If you have a clinical reason for requiring a specific branded product — for instance, a documented reaction to certain excipients — raise this with your prescribing doctor, who can annotate your prescription accordingly. The NHIA’s drug formulary and its approved generics list are maintained jointly by the NHIA and the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).

What should expats know about bringing medications into Taiwan from abroad?

Anyone planning to arrive in Taiwan with personal medication should be aware of the relevant customs regulations. For most prescription medicines intended for personal use, travellers and residents are generally permitted to bring a reasonable quantity — commonly up to a one-to-three-month personal supply — provided this is accompanied by the original prescription or a letter from the prescribing physician. Medicines should ideally remain in their original packaging, with the pharmacy label clearly showing the patient’s name and full details of the medication.

Controlled substances — such as potent opioid analgesics, benzodiazepines, and certain stimulants — are subject to considerably stricter requirements and may necessitate advance import permits from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) or the Ministry of Health and Welfare prior to travel. Attempting to enter Taiwan with controlled substances lacking the proper documentation can carry serious legal repercussions, including detention.

Some substances that are lawfully prescribed in other countries may be restricted or classified differently under Taiwan’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. It is not safe to assume that a home-country prescription automatically confers the right to bring a medication into Taiwan. Before travelling, it is strongly advisable to consult the nearest Taiwan representative office or embassy in your country and to review the current guidance published by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) on controlled substances. Rules can change, and official sources should always be consulted for the most up-to-date information.

For those settling in Taiwan longer term, the most sensible approach is to arrive with enough medication to cover the transition period, then arrange an ongoing local supply through the NHI system as soon as you have established residency.

How do private health insurance and public healthcare affect prescription costs in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance is a compulsory social insurance scheme with a population coverage rate approaching 99%. All Taiwanese nationals and foreign nationals residing in Taiwan with an Alien Resident Certificate are legally obliged to enrol. This means the majority of expats with legal residency will be brought into the NHI from the outset and will immediately benefit from its heavily subsidised prescription costs.

Unlike certain systems — such as the NHS in the UK, where a flat fee is charged per prescription item regardless of the drug’s actual price — Taiwan’s NHI uses a tiered co-payment structure under which the amount patients pay varies according to the type of facility visited (a local clinic versus a regional hospital versus a medical centre) and the cost of the medication. The NHI’s scope is extensive, covering services ranging from dental care and childbirth to Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, preventive health programmes, and elderly home care.

The cost advantage of the NHI becomes especially apparent when compared with private insurance alternatives: international private health plans offering broadly comparable coverage typically carry annual premiums of between USD $3,000 and $8,000 per person, whereas NHI contributions for most participants fall in the range of USD $300 to $1,200 annually — making Taiwan’s system exceptionally cost-effective by global standards.

Private health insurance in Taiwan is most commonly taken out as a complement to the NHI rather than as a substitute. Supplemental private policies tend to cover items the NHI does not, such as single-occupancy hospital rooms, speedier access to specialist consultations, and medicines not listed on the NHI formulary — including some newer or imported brand-name drugs. If you are managing a costly chronic condition requiring a specific non-formulary medication, a supplemental private policy may well be worth the expense. Review any private policy carefully to establish whether prescription drug cover is included and what exclusions or limits apply.

Expats who have not yet enrolled in the NHI — for example, during the interval before they obtain an ARC — will face the full cost of all medical services and medications without subsidy. This makes it all the more important to arrange adequate travel or interim health insurance before and immediately upon arrival in Taiwan.

Frequently asked questions: prescriptions and medications in Taiwan

What should I do in a medical emergency when I need medication urgently?

In a genuine medical emergency, the major hospitals in Taipei and other large cities maintain accident and emergency departments that operate around the clock. Any prescription issued in the emergency department can be filled at the hospital pharmacy, which is open 24 hours a day. Outside Taipei, every major city has at least one hospital providing continuous emergency services. For basic OTC medicines needed urgently but outside an emergency context, Taiwan’s convenience stores — including 7-Eleven and FamilyMart — are accessible at any hour of the day or night.

How do I find a pharmacy or pharmacist that can assist me in a language other than Mandarin?

The Department of Health of the Taipei City Government has worked together with the Taipei Pharmacists Association to compile a list of pharmacies capable of serving patients in English, published as a directory of “English-Friendly Pharmacies” (as of 2021). International hospitals and clinics in major cities — including Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung — commonly employ multilingual staff. Chain pharmacies situated in areas with high tourist footfall also tend to have team members with some capacity to communicate in English or Japanese.

How do I manage a chronic condition during the transition period before I am enrolled in the NHI?

The most practical course of action is to arrive with a sufficient stock of your current medication from your home country — ideally enough to last two to three months — to cover the time needed to complete residency formalities and NHI enrolment. Travel with your original prescriptions, a letter from your doctor summarising your condition and treatment plan, and your medicines in their original packaging. Once you have your ARC and NHI card in hand, you can consult a local physician to obtain a Taiwanese prescription and begin accessing your medication at NHI-subsidised co-payment rates.

Can I get a repeat prescription for a chronic condition without visiting the doctor every time?

Yes. Taiwan operates a Chronic Disease Repeat Prescription scheme (慢性病連續處方箋), under which doctors may issue prescriptions covering up to 90 days of medication at a time for stable chronic conditions. Medication under this arrangement can be collected in instalments from any participating community pharmacy, removing the need to attend a hospital or clinic every month. This is a notable benefit for those managing ongoing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disorders.

Are contraceptive pills available without a prescription in Taiwan?

Yes — oral contraceptive pills are sold over the counter at licensed pharmacies (藥局) in Taiwan without the need for a doctor’s prescription. This is more permissive than the policy in many other countries, where a prescription or prior medical consultation is a requirement. Emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is likewise available directly from pharmacies. While pharmacists can offer guidance on correct usage, ongoing contraceptive health is best managed in consultation with a gynaecologist.

Are there restrictions on buying medications online in Taiwan?

Over-the-counter medications may be purchased from licensed domestic online pharmacies in Taiwan. Prescription-only medicines, however, cannot lawfully be dispensed without a valid prescription issued by a licensed Taiwanese physician. Buying prescription drugs from overseas online pharmacies and importing them into Taiwan is subject to customs rules and may be illegal depending on the substance involved. Always use a registered pharmacy or authorised hospital dispensary for prescription medicines, and check the current position with the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).

What happens to my NHI coverage for prescriptions if I travel abroad for an extended period?

From December 2024, a significant policy change — mandated by a 2022 Constitutional Court ruling — requires all Taiwanese nationals to continue paying NHI premiums regardless of their country of residence. For foreign nationals holding an ARC who spend extended periods abroad, NHI eligibility is tied to residency status. Surrendering your ARC or ceasing to be a resident in Taiwan will result in the loss of NHI coverage. Before travelling for a prolonged period, contact the NHIA directly to clarify how your individual circumstances are affected.

Do I need a translated prescription to see a doctor in Taiwan?

A formally certified translation is not a prerequisite for an initial consultation, but it is highly advisable to bring your original prescription, the medicine packaging, and — where possible — a concise written summary in English (or Chinese) listing the names of your drugs, their dosages, and the conditions they address. Most doctors at internationally oriented hospitals and larger clinics in Taiwan are familiar with global drug names and will be able to cross-reference your existing regimen when drawing up a local prescription.