For international students who have recently arrived in Japan, common health problems such as colds, headaches, sore throats, coughs, runny noses and mild fevers can occur. When symptoms are mild, it may not always be necessary to go straight to hospital. Students can visit a pharmacy or certain drugstores to ask about over-the-counter medicines.
However, not all medicines can be purchased freely. Depending on the type of medicine, advice or confirmation from a pharmacist or another qualified member of staff may be required.
International students should therefore understand not only where to buy medicine, but also how the Japanese health insurance system works. If you are required to enrol in National Health Insurance, check your enrolment status, premiums and payment deadlines soon after arriving in Japan.
1. WHERE SHOULD YOU GO IF YOU HAVE A COLD IN JAPAN?
If your symptoms are mild, you can usually consider visiting a 薬局 (yakkyoku – pharmacy) or a ドラッグストア (drugstore).
A pharmacy specialises in medicines and provides access to pharmacists who can advise you. If a doctor has issued a 処方箋 (shohousen – prescription), you can also take it to a pharmacy to obtain your prescribed medicine.
Drugstores sell medicines as well as a wide range of everyday and healthcare products. Some drugstores also have qualified staff who can advise customers about over-the-counter medicines.
If your symptoms persist, become worse or are particularly severe, do not rely solely on self-medication. Visit a clinic or hospital for a medical assessment.
2. CAN YOU BUY COLD MEDICINE IN JAPAN WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION?
Japan has medicines known as OTC medicines (over-the-counter medicines).
Some OTC medicines for relatively mild symptoms such as colds, headaches, sore throats, coughs, runny noses, allergies and stomach discomfort can be purchased from pharmacies or drugstores without a doctor's prescription.
However, the rules for selling medicines vary depending on their classification. Some medicines require advice or confirmation from a pharmacist before they can be sold.
If you are unsure about the ingredients or how a medicine should be used, do not simply choose a product based on its packaging. Ask a pharmacist or registered sales professional for advice.
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PHARMACY AND A DRUGSTORE?
A 薬局 (Yakkyoku) is a pharmacy specialising in medicines. You can consult a pharmacist about medicines and obtain prescription medicines by presenting a prescription issued by a doctor.
A drugstore sells medicines as well as cosmetics, everyday goods, hygiene products, masks, thermometers and other healthcare products.
If you want to buy over-the-counter medicine for a cold or similar symptoms, you can visit a nearby drugstore.
However, if you are already taking other medicines or need detailed advice, it is preferable to choose a store where a pharmacist is available.
4. WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY WHEN BUYING MEDICINE IN JAPAN?
If you are not yet confident speaking Japanese, it can be useful to save the following phrases on your phone:
風邪の症状があります。 – I have cold symptoms.
熱があります。 – I have a fever.
喉が痛いです。 – I have a sore throat.
せきが出ます。 – I have a cough.
鼻水が出ます。 – I have a runny nose.
頭が痛いです。 – I have a headache.
昨日から症状があります。 – I have had these symptoms since yesterday.
この薬を飲んでいます。 – I am currently taking this medicine.
薬のアレルギーがあります。 – I have a medicine allergy.
この薬は眠くなりますか？ – Will this medicine make me drowsy?
If you are currently taking any medicine, bring the packaging with you or show a photograph of it on your phone. This can make it easier to explain your situation to the pharmacist.
5. WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD YOU GIVE THE PHARMACIST?
When buying medicine, do not simply say, “I have a cold.” Explain your symptoms as clearly as possible.
Important information includes your age, main symptoms, when the symptoms started, whether you have a fever, medicines you are currently taking, any medicine allergies, illnesses you are being treated for, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, where relevant.
If you are currently taking medicine prescribed by a doctor, make sure you tell the pharmacist before purchasing any additional medicine.
6. DO NOT CHOOSE MEDICINE BASED ONLY ON THE PRODUCT NAME
Japanese medicines can sometimes be difficult for international students to understand from the product name or packaging alone.
Before taking a medicine, check its name, ingredients, purpose, dosage, frequency of use, age restrictions, precautions, possible side effects and whether it may cause drowsiness.
If you cannot understand the instructions, ask a pharmacist or registered sales professional for an explanation.
You should also avoid taking several cold medicines at the same time without professional advice. Some products may contain similar active ingredients, which can result in taking the same ingredient more than once.
7. BE CAREFUL WITH MEDICINES THAT MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS
Some cold medicines and allergy medicines may cause drowsiness.
If you need to attend classes, work part-time, cycle or drive, check whether the medicine can make you sleepy before taking it.
You can simply ask the pharmacist:
「この薬は眠くなりますか？」
“Will this medicine make me drowsy?”
If you are advised not to drive or carry out activities requiring concentration after taking the medicine, follow that advice.
8. WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR RATHER THAN JUST BUY MEDICINE?
Over-the-counter medicines are not suitable for every health problem.
You should consider seeing a doctor if you have a high fever, a fever that persists, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty eating or drinking, rapidly worsening symptoms, or symptoms that do not improve after using medicine as directed.
If you have a serious emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness, do not spend time looking for a pharmacy or hospital. Call 119 for emergency assistance.
9. HOW DOES HEALTH INSURANCE RELATE TO SEEING A DOCTOR?
Health insurance is an important part of healthcare in Japan.
International students should check their health insurance enrolment status soon after arriving in Japan.
Students who are required to join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) should check not only that their enrolment has been completed, but also their insurance premiums and payment deadlines.
TOHOKU also provides guidance on the procedures international students should complete during their first seven days in Japan. Checking their health insurance arrangements is one of the important tasks to complete soon after arrival.
Even if your insurance arrangements have not yet been completed, do not delay seeking medical attention when you have serious or urgent symptoms.
Keep your health insurance documents and relevant information somewhere that you can access easily when needed.
10. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT BRINGING MEDICINE FROM VIETNAM TO JAPAN?
International students should be careful when bringing medicines they use in Vietnam into Japan.
Japan has different rules for importing medicines depending on the type of medicine, its ingredients and the quantity being brought into the country.
Under certain conditions, some medicines brought in for personal use may not require additional procedures. However, prescription medicines and medicines containing certain controlled ingredients may be subject to stricter requirements.
If you regularly take medication, check the latest Japanese regulations before travelling to Japan.
Medicines brought into Japan for personal use must not be sold or given to other people.
11. PREPARE YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION AFTER ARRIVING IN JAPAN
Once you have settled into your accommodation, it is useful to identify nearby drugstores, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals in advance.
You should also save the telephone numbers of your school, international student support staff, accommodation manager and the emergency number 119 on your phone.
If you are receiving treatment for an existing medical condition or have a medicine allergy, save the names of your medicines and details of your allergies in Japanese or English on your phone. This can make communication with healthcare professionals much easier.
12. KEY POINTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you develop a mild cold in Japan, you can visit a pharmacy or drugstore to ask about suitable over-the-counter medicines.
However, not all medicines can be purchased or used safely without professional advice. If you are unsure about a medicine, ask a pharmacist or registered sales professional.
When buying medicine, explain your symptoms, when they started, any medicines you are currently taking and any medicine allergies you have.
Do not increase the dosage yourself or take several cold medicines at the same time without checking their ingredients.
If your symptoms persist, become worse or are particularly severe, do not rely solely on over-the-counter medicines. Seek medical attention.
For a smoother and safer life in Japan, international students should learn not only how to buy medicines, but also how health insurance works and where to find nearby medical facilities and student support services soon after arrival.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN TOHOKU SÔNG ĐÀ
Address: L02-L01, Khu A, KĐT Dương Nội, Phường Dương Nội, Hà Nội
Hotline: 0989 044 852 / 0989044852
Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com
Website: tohoku.vn