Pharmacy & Prescriptions · 2026
Medications in China,
NMPA-approved, hospital-dispensed.
GLP-1s for weight loss and T2D, first-line Hepatitis B antivirals, and evidence-graded TCM — at Class A teaching hospitals, with bilingual prescriptions and home-physician handover. 30–90% off Western list prices.
30–90%
Off Western pricing
On NMPA-listed brand and generic drugs
Hospital pharmacy quotes
Class A
Hospital-pharmacy supply
Not back-channel or grey-market sources
Standard at top centres
NMPA
Regulatory equivalent
GMP-inspected manufacture, peer-reviewed approvals
NMPA registry
Bilingual
Prescription & report
English drug-info sheet + physician letter for customs
Standard package
Browse by drug + symptom
Five high-demand pathways
for international patients.
GLP-1 for weight loss & T2D
Semaglutide · Tirzepatide · Beinaglutide
NMPA-approved since 2021 (sema) and 2024 (tirz). 30–60% off US list price at hospital pharmacies.
Read the guide →Antivirals for Hepatitis B
Tenofovir (TAF/TDF) · Entecavir
China hosts ~75M HBV-infected adults — leading global expertise. First-line antivirals at $5–25/month.
Read the guide →Oligomannate for Alzheimer’s
GV-971 · 甘露特纳胶囊 · 九期一
Conditionally NMPA-approved 2019 for mild-to-moderate AD. China-only access — not FDA / EMA approved. Workup at memory clinics.
Read the guide →Roxadustat for CKD anaemia
Roxadustat · 罗沙司他 · HIF-PHI class
First-in-class oral HIF-PHI launched in China before US/EU. Alternative to ESA injections for dialysis and non-dialysis CKD.
Read the guide →TCM for menopause
Kun Bao Wan · Geng Nian An · Liuwei Dihuang
Classical formulas + acupuncture for vasomotor and mood symptoms. Integrated with Western menopause medicine, not a substitute for MHT where indicated.
Read the guide →TCM for insomnia & anxiety
Suanzaoren tang · Zaoren Anshen · Tianwang Buxin Dan
Evidence-graded classical formulas dispensed by hospital TCM pharmacies. Where evidence exists — and where it doesn’t.
Read the guide →FAQ
Medications in China — answered.
- Can I legally buy and bring medications back from China?
- Yes for most NMPA-approved prescription drugs, with caveats. China legally permits foreign visitors to purchase prescription medication with a valid hospital prescription. Re-entry to your home country is governed by your home country’s rules: most countries allow a personal-use supply (typically 90 days) of non-controlled prescription drugs in original labelled packaging accompanied by a physician’s letter. Controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants) are generally not transportable across borders without prior import permits and are not part of our supported workflow. We provide bilingual prescription, English drug-information sheet, and an attending-physician letter to facilitate customs.
- How much can I save on medications in China?
- Indicative savings on common drugs at NMPA-listed pricing: semaglutide (Wegovy 2.4mg) ~$280/month vs ~$1,350 US (~80% off); tirzepatide ~$420/month vs ~$1,080 US (~60% off); tenofovir alafenamide (Vemlidy) ~$15/month vs ~$1,800 US (~99% off, generic available); entecavir generic ~$5/month vs ~$300 US; classical TCM formulas $15–60/month from hospital TCM pharmacies. Savings are largest for newer biologics and chronic-supply generics.
- Are these medications real and quality-controlled?
- All medications discussed on this site are NMPA-approved, manufactured in NMPA-licensed facilities subject to GMP inspection, and dispensed through Class A teaching-hospital pharmacies — not back-channel sources. Foreign-brand drugs (Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Gilead, etc.) are imported through licensed channels with the same molecular entity as in the US/EU. Domestic Chinese generics and biologics are independently developed, peer-reviewed, and NMPA-registered. We do not source from grey-market online pharmacies or unverified sellers.
- How does the prescribing workflow work?
- Standard 5-step pathway: (1) Pre-arrival case review — you upload current diagnosis, prior labs, and current medication list; our coordinating physician confirms the medication is appropriate and obtainable, and quotes a price. (2) On-arrival consult at a Class A hospital with the relevant specialist (endocrinologist, hepatologist, oncologist, etc.) — typically a 30–45 minute consult, 600–1,200 RMB. (3) On-site prescription, dispensed by hospital pharmacy. (4) Bilingual report and English drug-info sheet for home-physician handover. (5) Refill workflow — for chronic medications we coordinate with your home prescriber for continuity of care after initial in-person evaluation; some refills can be shipped internationally where permitted by destination country regulation.
- What about medications NOT on this list?
- China’s NMPA-approved drug list overlaps substantially with the FDA list, plus several Chinese-origin drugs (e.g., GLP-1 multi-agonists in development) that are not yet approved or are far more expensive in the US. If you’re looking for a specific medication, send the generic name and indication via our intake form — we’ll confirm availability, NMPA approval status, hospital-pharmacy supply, and indicative pricing within 2–3 business days. We will tell you if a drug is unavailable, off-formulary, or not appropriate for medical-tourism workflow.
- Does TCM count as ‘medication’?
- TCM herbs and patent formulas (中成药) are regulated as medicines by NMPA in China and dispensed through hospital TCM pharmacies. Western evidence is mixed and condition-specific — we present what the published evidence shows for each indication and do not claim TCM as primary therapy for serious disease. Where evidence exists (e.g., suanzaoren-tang for insomnia, certain formulas for functional digestive disorders), we document it. Where it does not, we say so. We screen for herb-drug interactions before prescribing alongside Western medications.
Ask about a specific medication
in 48 hours.
Send the generic name and your indication. We confirm NMPA approval, hospital-pharmacy supply, indicative pricing, and whether a 30-minute consult is enough — or whether the workup needs a full visit.
For information only. Not medical advice. Prescription decisions must be made with a licensed clinician based on your individual circumstances. Cross-border transport of medication is governed by your home country’s import rules; controlled substances are not part of this workflow.