No. You can buy medicines classified as over the counter (OTC) without a prescription in Malta. The answer depends on the exact product, not just its brand or ingredient.
What can you buy without a prescription?
The Malta Medicines Authority database lists the following authorised products as OTC. These are examples, not a complete shopping list or a promise that a pharmacy has them in stock.
| Product listed in Malta | Active ingredient | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Panadol 500 mg tablets | Paracetamol 500 mg | OTC |
| Ibuprofen Azevedos 20 mg/ml oral suspension | Ibuprofen 20 mg/ml | OTC |
| Zyrtec 10 mg tablets | Cetirizine 10 mg | OTC |
OTC is a product classification. It does not mean that every strength, formulation or pack under the same brand has the same status.
Where do you buy OTC medicine?
Without a prescription does not usually mean from a supermarket shelf. Under Malta’s Medicines Act, medicinal products are generally sold from pharmacies, with limited legal exceptions. Ask the pharmacist for the exact product you need; they can check its status and advise whether it is appropriate for you.
If you are looking up a product yourself, use its full name, strength and form in the official medicines database. Malta’s classification guidance explains why different presentations of a medicine can have different prescription status. The database tells you the listed classification, not today’s stock at your nearest pharmacy.
What about antibiotics or emergency contraception?
Do not treat antibiotics as OTC. The Medicines Authority’s classification guidance identifies antimicrobial medicines with resistance risks as products normally requiring a prescription. A pharmacist can check the status of a specific product and tell you when to see a doctor.
OTC does not always mean self-service. Malta’s guidance for pharmacists says ellaOne (ulipristal acetate 30 mg) can be supplied without a doctor’s prescription after a personal consultation and a pharmacist’s assessment. It is licensed for emergency contraception within 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. If you need it, speak to a pharmacist promptly.
Questions people ask
Can a medicine be OTC at home but prescription-only in Malta?
Yes. The applicable classification can differ between countries and between presentations. Check the exact product in Malta’s medicines database or ask a local pharmacist.
Does OTC mean I can buy the medicine in a supermarket?
Usually not. Medicinal products are generally sold through pharmacies in Malta, although the law allows specific exceptions.
Can I get emergency contraception without a doctor’s prescription?
Ulipristal 30 mg (ellaOne) is licensed for supply without a prescription after a pharmacist’s personal consultation and assessment. Ask a pharmacist directly.
Need a pharmacy today? Find one in Malta or Gozo. Confirm opening hours and product availability before travelling.
Sources
- Malta Medicines Authority, Guideline GL-LI05/04
- Malta Medicines Authority, Medicines Database
- Malta Medicines Authority, Panadol 500 mg record
- Malta Medicines Authority, ibuprofen oral suspension record
- Malta Medicines Authority, Zyrtec 10 mg record
- Medicines Act, Chapter 458
- Malta Medicines Authority, ulipristal 30 mg dispensing guidance
General information, not individual medical advice. Confirm medicine classification and suitability with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.