処方薬(しょほうやく)

In Japan, prescription medicines are usually dispensed at 調剤薬局(ちょうざいやっきょく) (dispensing pharmacies) separate from the hospital. The doctor writes a 処方箋(しょほうせん) (prescription), which the patient takes to a pharmacy. Contrasts with 市販薬(しはんやく) (over-the-counter medicine) and 一般用医薬品(いっぱんよういやくひん) (general-use pharmaceuticals). To prescribe is 薬(くすり)を処方(しょほう)する, or in everyday speech 薬(くすり)を出(だ)す (a doctor "gives" medicine).