処方箋(しょほうせん)

しょほうせん
noun
prescription
1. prescription
A written order from a doctor specifying medicine to be dispensed by a pharmacist. In Japan, prescriptions are typically taken to a separate pharmacy rather than filled at the hospital.
医者(いしゃ)に処方箋(しょほうせん)を書(か)いてもらった。
The doctor wrote me a prescription.
処方箋(しょほうせん)を薬局(やっきょく)に持(も)っていく。
I take the prescription to the pharmacy.
処方箋(しょほうせん)なしでは買(か)えない薬(くすり)もある。
Some medicines cannot be bought without a prescription.
処方箋(しょほうせん)の有効期限(ゆうこうきげん)は4日間(かかん)です。
Prescriptions are valid for 4 days.

COMPOSITION: 処方(しょほう) (formulation, prescription) + 箋(せん) (slip, tag)

JAPANESE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM:
In Japan, clinics and hospitals usually do not dispense medicine directly. Instead, patients receive a 処方箋(しょほうせん) and take it to a nearby 調剤薬局(ちょうざいやっきょく) (dispensing pharmacy).

KEY TERMS:

  • 処方箋(しょほうせん)薬(やく) - prescription medicine
  • 市販薬(しはんやく)/OTC{薬(やく)} - over-the-counter medicine
  • 調剤薬局(ちょうざいやっきょく) - dispensing pharmacy
  • 院内処方(いんないしょほう) - in-hospital dispensing
  • 院外処方(いんがいしょほう) - out-of-hospital dispensing

VALIDITY: Prescriptions in Japan expire after 4 days (including the day of issue), so they must be filled promptly.

COMMON VERBS:

  • 処方箋(しょほうせん)を書(か)く - to write a prescription
  • 処方箋(しょほうせん)を出(だ)す - to issue a prescription
  • 処方箋(しょほうせん)を持(も)っていく - to take a prescription (to the pharmacy)
general
Added 2026.1.18 3:44 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06496_shohousen