Daily Life Lessons · Hospitals
Be able to take a prescription from a hospital or clinic to a pharmacy, receive your medicine, use a medication notebook, and ask the pharmacist about anything you do not understand.
When you receive a prescription (処方箋) at a hospital or clinic, take it to a pharmacy with a sign such as "Insurance pharmacy" (保険薬局) or "Prescriptions accepted" (処方箋受付). You can choose the pharmacy yourself. As a rule, a prescription must be used within 4 days, including the day it was issued.
At the counter, hand in the prescription and your My Number health insurance card (マイナ保険証) or eligibility certificate (資格確認書). If you have a medication notebook (お薬手帳), hand it in as well. The notebook records the medicines you use and helps check for interactions and duplicate medicines. Keep everything in one notebook, or use an electronic version on your smartphone.
When you receive your medicine, the pharmacist will explain how to take it and what to be careful about. Ask right there if anything is unclear. You may also be able to choose a generic medicine (ジェネリック医薬品 / 後発医薬品).
Even without a prescription, you can buy over-the-counter medicines (市販薬 / 一般用医薬品) at pharmacies and drugstores. Some over-the-counter medicines can only be bought after an explanation from a pharmacist.
病院で 処方箋（しょほうせん）を もらったら、薬局（やっきょく）へ 行きます。
1. 「処方箋受付（うけつけ）」と 書いてある 薬局を 選びます。 2. 処方箋は 4日以内（もらった日も 入れて）に 持って行きます。 3. 処方箋と マイナ保険証（ほけんしょう）か 資格確認書（しかくかくにんしょ）を 出します。 4. お薬手帳（おくすりてちょう）が あれば、いっしょに 出します。 5. 薬剤師（やくざいし）の 説明を 聞きます。わからないときは 聞きます。
処方箋が なくても、市販（しはん）の 薬は ドラッグストアでも 買えます。
By when should you take a prescription to a pharmacy?
As a rule, a prescription can be used within 4 days, including the day it was issued. If there are special circumstances, such as a long trip, the doctor may extend the period.
What is a medication notebook (お薬手帳) for?
Doctors and pharmacists can check for interactions and duplication with medicines from other hospitals. Keep everything in one notebook.
Where do you take a prescription?
You can choose any insurance pharmacy you like.
What should you do if you do not understand how to take your medicine?
The pharmacist explains how to take the medicine and what to be careful about. Ask right there if anything is unclear.
Which medicines can you buy without a prescription?
Over-the-counter medicines can be bought at pharmacies and drugstores. Some can only be bought after an explanation from a pharmacist.
Q. I am worried about explanations in Japanese.
A. You can use a translation app or go with someone who understands Japanese. The name of the medicine is written on the information sheet you receive with it and in your medication notebook, so you can check it later. Some pharmacies can assist in foreign languages, so try contacting them before you go.
Q. What if it is hard for me to go out?
A. A family member or someone else can take the prescription to the pharmacy and pick up the medicine for you (ask them to pass on the pharmacist's explanation to you). Some pharmacies offer home visits by a pharmacist, or can explain by video call and deliver the medicine. There are conditions, so talk to your doctor or pharmacy.
Q. What is a generic medicine?
A. It is a medicine that uses the same active ingredient as the original medicine released first (先発医薬品), and it is generally cheaper. If you ask for the original medicine when a generic version exists, you may have to pay a "special fee" (特別の料金) on top of your usual co-payment, except in cases such as when it is medically necessary. If you are unsure, ask the pharmacist.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original