When Do You Need a Prescription?

Medicines are generally split into those available over the counter and those that are prescription-only. Over-the-counter medicines treat conditions people can reasonably recognise and manage themselves, and are considered safe enough to use by following the label.

Prescription-only medicines require an assessment by a qualified prescriber before they can be supplied. A pharmacist then checks the prescription before dispensing.

• The condition needs a proper diagnosis first, and treating the wrong thing can delay finding the real cause.
• The medicine needs monitoring, such as regular blood tests or dose adjustments.
• There is a meaningful risk of serious side effects or interactions with other medicines.
• The medicine has potential for dependence or misuse.
• Using it incorrectly carries a wider public health cost, as with antibiotics and resistance.

Antibiotics work against bacterial infections and have no effect on viruses, which cause most coughs, colds and sore throats. Taking them when they are not needed does not speed up recovery.

It also drives antibiotic resistance, where bacteria adapt and the medicines stop working. That is why a prescriber decides whether an antibiotic is appropriate, which one, and for how long, and why a course should be taken exactly as directed rather than saved for later or shared.

Requirements vary by country, but a prescription a pharmacy can act on will normally show:

• The patient's name and, where relevant, age or date of birth.
• The date it was issued.
• The medicine's name, strength, dose, and the quantity to be supplied.
• The prescriber's name, qualification and contact details, with their signature or verified electronic equivalent.

Prescriptions also expire. How long one stays valid, and whether it can be repeated, depends on local regulations and on the medicine itself, so check the date before ordering.

A medicine sold freely in one country may be prescription-only in another, and the rules change over time. If you are used to buying something without a prescription elsewhere, do not assume the same applies here.

If you are unsure how a particular medicine is classified where you live, ask a pharmacist before you order. It is a quick question and it avoids a cancelled order.

Products that need a prescription are marked as prescription-only on their product page. For these items you may be asked to provide a valid prescription before your order is dispatched, and orders that cannot be verified may be cancelled and refunded.