I am planning on bringing our own medicines, but if we HAVE to buy something there, are the medicines up to US standards?

Make sure you buy from reputable, large drugstores. Fake stuff is everywhere in China.

Also, some over-the-counter medicine may have different active ingredients outside N. America. Read the label carefully.

Otherwise, you're safe. Many large international pharmaceuticals have plants in China for the popular drugs. Or you'll get imports.

No guarantee of that at all. My daughters have just returned to Australia after 3 years in China and advise that you should try to buy imported brands - they often bought Japanese. For painkillers Disprin and Bayer can be found and also Ibuprofin made by a joint venture company. As a rule it's nolt wise to trust Chinese-made medicines.

You'll have better luck finding a range of foreign medicines in Beijing and Shanghai than other places. We found a pharmacy on Wangfujing Dajie in Beijing (the big tourist shopping drag) with a good range where a staff member spoke English and could help.

In Shanghai I had to rely on sign language to buy cough medicine (very entertaining when you're trying to explain that you need a decongestant) and got some locally-made cough syrup that worked well enough.

If you have a more serious problem I understand there are Western-style hospitals (charging US-style prices) in Beijing and Shanghai at least with pharmacies attached.

rkkwan,
By reputable, I assume you mean large in size? That would probably be the only way I could tell. When you say to read the ingredients on the side, will it be in English? Would fake medicine actually be harmful or just not helpful?

Thanks for the info, rkkwan and Neil!!

What kind of medicine are you talking about, really?

Stuff that you need to take daily, you should just bring enough. If something serious happens when you're there, go see a doctor.

So, I'd think you're talking about common cold and cough, that kind of over-the-counter medicine. You'll recognize some brands from major pharmaceuticals, with both Chinese and English names and formula.

By reputable, I mean you go ask something in your hotel or whoever. They'll tell you which large pharmacy to use. And yes, big ones on major streets should be the ones you're using.

I'm guessing things that would help with cold/cough/diarrhea, etc. That type of thing. Thanks!

Lost, you may be interested inn this article in today's NYT regarding fake medicines:
www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/science/20coun.html

Kathie,
Whoa!! What a scary article! Thanks for updating me. That last sentence about the difference between punishments for fake t-shirts vs medicines-unreal!!

Makes you think twice before buying any medicines in China. I knew of someone who went over and bought a lot of medications over there because they are a lot cheaper. I wouldn't chance it.

Lostinchina,
The USA FDA is the most stringent drug enforcement agency on earth. And for good reason. Please, please, unless forced to do so, do not buy medications abroad. You have no idea what is in them and they may actually harm instead of help!
susie

Lost in China - If you are talking about prescriptions you take regularly, bring extra. You never know if they will get lost, compromised, etc. They do not have all the same medications available. My mother got sick at the end of her vacation to China, and my aunt (who went with her) stayed an extra 45 days. Even after her pharmacist faxed the ingredient list to the Cdn embassy, it was determined that there was nothing remotely similar available. It was a bone medication for those interested.

The over the counter items were similar, but the ingredients were not in english, and there were not often photos of the product on the front of the box. It took me a couple of hours to find the equivalent of polident!

Thanks for the info. I am planning to bring out medications, but like you said, could be lost with luggage, etc. I guess carrying on is the best then. Appreciate your input!