Buying Medicine in Russia: A Tourist's Guide to Pharmacies (Apteka)
Short answer: Russian pharmacies — called apteka (аптека) and marked by a green cross — are common, inexpensive and well stocked for everyday needs. Simple cold, headache and stomach remedies are sold over the counter, but antibiotics and anything stronger officially require a Russian prescription, and a prescription from your home country will not normally be accepted. The safest plan: bring enough of your own regular medication for the whole trip, in its original box, and know the active-ingredient (generic) name in case you need a local equivalent.
How to find a pharmacy (apteka) in Moscow
Look for the Cyrillic sign АПТЕКА and a green cross — the universal pharmacy symbol. They are everywhere in Moscow: on high streets, inside metro underpasses, in shopping centres and next to clinics, so you are rarely more than a few minutes from one. Large chains dominate the market, which means consistent opening hours and stock.
For late-night needs, search your map app for a круглосуточная аптека ("24-hour pharmacy") or look for the sign Аптека 24 часа. Central Moscow has several round-the-clock options. Staff behind the counter are trained pharmacists and can suggest an over-the-counter remedy for minor symptoms — but English is not guaranteed, so have the product name or your symptom written down or translated in advance.
A quick pharmacy vocabulary
A few words on your phone screen go a long way at the counter:
| English | Russian | Say / show it as |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy | Аптека | ap-TYE-ka |
| 24-hour | Круглосуточно | krug-lo-SU-toch-no |
| Prescription | Рецепт | ret-SEPT |
| Painkiller | Обезболивающее | obez-BOL-i-va-yu-shee |
| For a cold / flu | От простуды | ot pros-TU-dy |
| Antibiotic | Антибиотик | anti-bi-O-tik |
What you can buy over the counter
Everyday medicines are easy to buy without a prescription: painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), cold and flu remedies, throat lozenges, antihistamines, indigestion and anti-diarrhoea treatments, plasters and basic first-aid supplies. For most of these you simply walk in, name the product, and pay.
Do not assume that "everything is available", though. Medicines for chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, stronger painkillers, and — importantly — antibiotics require a doctor's prescription. Russia officially classifies antibiotics as prescription-only, and while in the past pharmacies often did not ask, enforcement has tightened under the dispensing rules updated in 2025: selling prescription drugs without a script is now treated as a serious licensing breach. In short, do not count on buying antibiotics over the counter — bring your own if you know you may need a specific course.
Prescription medicines: why your foreign prescription won't work
This is the most important point for visitors. A prescription issued abroad is generally not accepted in a Russian pharmacy unless it has been translated into Russian, and even then, rules for controlled drugs are strictly enforced. As a short-term tourist you will not easily obtain a Russian prescription, so do not plan to refill regular medication locally.
If you do need to match a drug, bring the international non-proprietary name (INN) — the active ingredient, not just the brand — because brand names differ between countries. A pharmacist can then look for a local equivalent, if one is registered and in stock. Supply is also a factor: between late 2023 and 2024 a number of imported drugs (including some cancer treatments, insulin variants, and certain antibiotics and migraine, allergy and epilepsy medicines) became harder to find. To keep foreign-packaged medicines on shelves, the government has extended a simplified sales regime for them into 2027 — but availability of any specific product still can't be guaranteed. Another reason to arrive self-sufficient.
Before you fly: bring your own supply — and check what's restricted
Pack enough of your prescription medication for the entire trip, plus a few spare days. Carry it in the original packaging with the label and leaflet — avoid loose pills, pill organisers or unlabelled bags, which can raise questions at the border. As a rule of thumb you may bring up to about five boxes of the same registered medicine for personal use without declaring it; for a larger chronic-treatment supply, carry a doctor's letter justifying the quantity. The personal-import framework for registered medicines currently runs through September 2027.
Some medicines that are ordinary at home are controlled or banned in Russia. Getting this wrong can mean confiscation or worse, so check before you travel:
| Category | Examples | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Narcotic / opioid painkillers | codeine (incl. in cough syrups & combination pills), tramadol, strong opioids | Controlled. Need a prescription plus a sworn Russian translation, and must be declared at customs (red corridor). |
| Stimulants | ADHD medication (e.g. amphetamine-based) | Effectively prohibited — do not bring without prior clearance. |
| Certain cold remedies | anything containing pseudoephedrine | Illegal in Russia. Choose a different cold medicine. |
| Other controlled classes | barbiturates, some psychiatric drugs, sibutramine, anabolic steroids | Restricted or banned; require medical documentation to import. |
| Cannabis products | all cannabis-derived items, including CBD | Banned outright. Do not bring any form. |
If you rely on any medicine in these categories, carry a signed doctor's letter with the drug's name and quantity, get it translated into Russian, and be ready to declare it. Import and declaration rules are being tightened, and additional documentation or notification requirements may apply to some categories from late 2026 — so when in doubt, confirm the current position with the Russian consulate or customs before your trip.
How to pay at a Russian pharmacy
Prices are low by Western standards, but payment is the usual sticking point for tourists: foreign Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Russia. Pay in cash (rubles) or with a local Mir card. See our full guide on how to pay in Russia, and sort out travel insurance for Russia before you arrive so a clinic visit or pricier medicine is covered.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy antibiotics over the counter in Russia?
Officially no — antibiotics are prescription-only in Russia, and enforcement has tightened since 2025. In the past some pharmacies sold them without asking, but you should not rely on it. If you know you may need a specific antibiotic, bring it from home with a doctor's note.
Will a pharmacy accept my prescription from home?
Usually no. Foreign prescriptions are not directly accepted unless translated into Russian, and controlled drugs need extra documentation. Bring your own supply and know the active-ingredient (generic) name.
Where can I find a 24-hour pharmacy in Moscow?
Search your map app for "круглосуточная аптека" or look for the sign "Аптека 24 часа". Central Moscow has several round-the-clock pharmacies.
What should I pack in a basic travel medical kit for Russia?
Your regular prescription medicines (in original boxes), painkillers, a cold/flu remedy, antihistamines, something for an upset stomach, plasters, and any personal essentials — plus copies of prescriptions and a doctor's letter for anything controlled. If a stomach upset is your worry, see our guide on whether Moscow tap water is safe to drink.
Can I bring my medication into Russia?
Yes for ordinary registered medicines in original packaging (up to roughly five boxes of the same product). Controlled substances — codeine, tramadol, ADHD stimulants, pseudoephedrine cold medicine, CBD and others — are restricted or banned and need documentation or must be avoided entirely.
This article is general travel information, not medical or legal advice, and medicine and customs rules can change. Confirm the current status of any specific drug with the Russian consulate or customs authorities before you travel. For the bigger picture, see our Russia travel guide, and use a Moscow Pass to plan the rest of your trip once your health essentials are sorted.
