Taiwan Prescriptions Guide: Refills, Chronic Prescriptions, and Pharmacies
Taiwan makes getting medicine easy: prescriptions are electronic, refills for stable chronic conditions can stretch 3 months, and NHI-contracted pharmacies are on nearly every block. Here's how the system works.
Prescription vs Dispensing (處方 vs 調劑)
In Taiwan, the doctor prescribes and the pharmacist dispenses — often at different places:
- 院內調劑: the clinic or hospital's own pharmacy hands you the drugs right after your visit.
- 院外調劑: the doctor gives you a prescription slip (處方箋) and you take it to any 健保特約藥局 (NHI-contracted pharmacy). Look for the sign; there are thousands island-wide.
The prescription slip is generally valid for a short window (commonly 3 days including the issue date at many institutions — check the slip). Don't sit on it for weeks.
Chronic-Disease Refill Prescriptions (慢性病連續處方箋)
If you have a stable chronic condition (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol…), ask your doctor for a 慢性病連續處方箋 — a refill prescription covering up to 3 months:
- You pick up the first month's supply, then return to the pharmacy for the 2nd and 3rd months without another doctor visit.
- Each refill follows the same drug copayment rules.
- This saves you two clinic visits per quarter — the single biggest convenience hack in Taiwan's system.
Not every drug qualifies (some need monitoring), so the doctor decides.
Drug Copayments
- Clinics and district hospitals: drug cost NT$100 or less → free; above NT$101 → you pay 20%, capped at NT$200.
- Regional hospitals and medical centers: 20%, capped at NT$300.
Chronic refill prescriptions apply these rules per dispensing.
Prescription Drugs vs Pharmacist-Guided vs OTC
- 處方藥 (prescription drugs): need a doctor's prescription — antibiotics, blood-pressure meds, etc.
- 指示藥 (pharmacist-guided drugs): the pharmacist can recommend and sell these without a prescription — many cold remedies, eye drops, stomach medicines. Ask the pharmacist; they're trained for this.
- 成藥 (over-the-counter): freely available — vitamins, bandages, basic pain relief.
When traveling, keep prescription drugs in original packaging with the prescription or a doctor's note, especially for controlled substances.
Reading Your Medicine Bag (藥袋)
Every dispensed drug in Taiwan comes in a labeled bag (藥袋) that tells you everything:
- Drug name (學名 and brand), strength, and quantity.
- How to take it: 飯前 (before meals), 飯後 (after meals), 睡前 (bedtime), or 每日X次 (X times daily).
- Days supplied (e.g., 28天) and the expiration/return date for refills.
- Warnings: "不可飲酒" (no alcohol), "可能嗜睡" (may cause drowsiness — don't drive), storage instructions.
If the instructions are unclear, the dispensing pharmacist is required to counsel you — ask before you leave the counter. Keep the bag until you finish the course; it's your reference if side effects appear.
Storing Medicine Safely
- Most drugs: cool, dry place away from sunlight — not the bathroom (humidity degrades them).
- Drugs marked 需冷藏: refrigerator (not freezer), typically insulin and some eye drops.
- Keep all medicine out of children's reach, in original packaging.
- Don't share prescription drugs with family members, even for the "same" symptoms — dosage and contraindications differ by person.
- Return expired or unused drugs to a pharmacy take-back point rather than flushing them.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long is a prescription slip valid?
A: It varies by institution, but a common rule is 3 days from the issue date. Chronic refill slips have their own schedule printed on them. When in doubt, fill it the same day.
Q: I'm going abroad and my medicine will run out. What can I do?
A: Tell your doctor before you travel — they can often adjust the prescription timing or issue the refill early. For long trips, ask about the maximum supply allowed and carry a doctor's letter listing your medications.
Q: Can the pharmacist substitute a different brand?
A: Pharmacists may dispense an equivalent generic unless the doctor marked the prescription "不可替代" (no substitution). Generics in Taiwan are regulated and widely used — if you have concerns, discuss them with your doctor, not just the pharmacist.
Sources
- https://www.nhi.gov.tw/ch/cp-1448-643b9-3255-1.html
- https://www.nhi.gov.tw/ch/cp-5163-9803c-2737-1.html