· 6 min read
What's the difference between a supplement and a medicine?
They sit on the same pharmacy shelf and often come in the same blister packs. The difference is in what they are allowed to claim and how they are checked.
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Plain answers to the questions people ask at pharmacy counters in Nepal: supplements, medicine safety, storage, prices and what to ask your pharmacist.
· 7 min read
How to spot fake or substandard medicine in Nepal
Recalls in Nepal happen several times a year. You cannot test a tablet at home, but you can check the pack, the seller and the paperwork.
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· 6 min read
Can you take supplements with your prescription medicine?
Usually yes. But calcium, iron, a handful of herbs and even grapefruit can change how a medicine works, and timing often fixes the problem.
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· 5 min read
Storing medicines at home through Nepal's monsoon and heat
The bathroom cabinet and the kitchen shelf are the two worst places to keep medicine. Here is where to keep it instead, and what to watch for in the rainy months.
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· 6 min read
Generic or brand-name medicine: does the expensive one work better?
The same paracetamol is sold under dozens of names in Nepal. The active ingredient is the same. What changes is the manufacturer, the price and sometimes the quality control.
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· 7 min read
Which vitamins do you actually need?
Most healthy adults eating a varied diet need very little. But surveys in Nepal show some gaps that are common enough to know about, especially for women, children and older adults.
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· 6 min read
What to ask your pharmacist, and what to tell them
The pharmacist is often the last trained person to check your medicine before you take it. A two-minute conversation at the counter can save a lot of trouble.
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· 5 min read
Expired medicine: can you still take it, and how should you get rid of it?
Most tablets do not suddenly turn dangerous on the expiry date. Some medicines do lose strength in ways that matter, though, and old stock should never just go in the household bin.
Read the articleLooking for a quick answer? Try the FAQ.