American pharmacies differ from other pharmacies in the world by their rules
How things stand with the sale of drugs
While in many countries of the former Union, and indeed Europe as a whole, you can buy a potent substance with a prescription from an ordinary doctor, drugs in the US are purchased only with a paper from a doctor who is officially registered and approved by the local health authority. Pharmacies and medical companies in the US cooperate closely through electronic databases, so going against the system is quite problematic.
First, the entire process is quite lengthy. Upon visiting a doctor, he prescribes a drug to the patient, then asks which pharmacy they plan to purchase it from. He then sends a signal to the point of sale, and on site the pharmacist packages the medication according to the dosage and affixes a label with the expiration date.
You cannot buy anything otherwise, only strictly following the algorithm. Visitors sometimes find it difficult to obtain certain medications not because they are sold only by prescription, but also due to ignorance of the basic indications for their use in a particular country.
Which drugs can be bought without a prescription
Mainly, the category of over-the-counter drugs includes antihistamines and vitamins of various categories. You can find painkillers and medications intended to reduce a patient's fever.
If you manage to choose the right medication, you can save from 80 to 300 dollars. That is how much a doctor's visit costs, depending on their qualifications.
Every American pharmacy and supermarket must have its own pharmacist who will assist the customer based on their needs. It is to them that you should turn to buy something that will really help with your problem. But always remember – psychotropic drugs, antibiotics, and everything of that sort cannot be bought without an examination and prescription from a professional.
When ill, it is better to immediately consult a doctor and follow the procedure for obtaining a prescription, in accordance with the system implemented by the American state. But if you go to the hospital every time you have a simple headache or an upset stomach, it will cost a pretty penny. Therefore, it is necessary to check the list of permitted drugs and buy exactly those for your home medicine cabinet.