Do I need a prescription to buy medicines?
It depends on the medicine. Over-the-counter (OTC) products can be bought freely, while prescription-only medicines require a valid prescription — a rule that exists to keep you safe, not to slow you down.
OTC vs prescription
- OTC — common items like basic pain relief, vitamins, and general health and wellness products.
- Prescription-only — antibiotics, controlled medicines, and many treatments that need medical supervision.
Providing a prescription
- Get a digital prescription from a HelloDr online consultation, or
- Upload a clear photo of a valid paper prescription during checkout.
Why this matters
Prescription rules protect your health — they ensure the right medicine, at the right dose, for the right duration, with a professional aware of what you're taking. Pharmacies on HelloDr follow these rules, so an order for a prescription medicine without a valid prescription may be held or cancelled until one is provided.
If you're unsure whether you need a prescription, the safest move is a quick online consult — the doctor can advise and, if appropriate, issue a prescription on the spot. Never take a prescription medicine that wasn't prescribed for you.
