prescription drug
over-the-counter drug
pharmaceutical industry
medical prescription
1. Ethical drugs can only be dispensed with a valid prescription.
处方药只能凭有效的处方进行配药。
2. The company is developing new ethical drugs for heart disease.
该公司正在研发用于治疗心脏病的新型处方药。
A: Can I buy this medicine without a prescription?
A：我可以不凭处方买这种药吗？
B: No, it is an ethical drug, so you need a doctor's note.
B：不行，这是处方药，所以你需要医生的处方。
1) 必须经过医生许可方可使用的药物
2) 医药行业中对处方药的专业称呼
3) 与非处方药（OTC）相对的概念
1. 处方药
e.g.
Ethical drugs are strictly regulated by the government.
处方药受到政府的严格监管。
noun phrase
1. A drug that can only be obtained with a prescription from a doctor.
Synonym: prescription drug