Can You Buy Antibiotics Without a Prescription in Bali?

Legally, no. In Indonesia antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin or azithromycin are classed as obat keras (prescription-only "hard drugs"), marked with a red circle containing a black letter K on the pack, and pharmacies may only hand them over against a doctor's prescription. The rule is the same in Kuta, Ubud or Lovina, for locals and tourists alike.

What is the legal basis?

The obat keras category comes from the Hard Drugs Ordinance (St. 1949 No. 419), and the labelling is set by Health Minister Decree No. 02396/A/SK/VIII/1986 on the special mark for hard drugs. Pharmacy practice, including dispensing on prescription, is governed by Government Regulation 51/2009, now under the umbrella of Law 17/2023 on Health. Prudent antibiotic use has its own guideline, Health Minister Regulation 28/2021.

The government is pushing back on over-the-counter antibiotic sales because of antimicrobial resistance. Indonesia has a National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, the Health Ministry runs the Gema Cermat campaign (a public movement for smart medicine use), and the food and drug agency BPOM regularly reminds the public that antibiotics require a prescription.

But some pharmacies still sell them, right?

Yes, practice does not always match the rule. Some small pharmacies still hand over antibiotics without a prescription if the buyer names the drug, while large pharmacy chains and clinic pharmacies generally refuse. Do not build a plan on this. Sellers who break the rule can be sanctioned, the drug you get may be the wrong one for your illness, and doses chosen without an examination are often off. We found no rule penalising the buyer, but that is no reason to try.

Legal ways to get a prescription in Bali

• 24-hour tourist clinics in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud and Sanur take walk-ins; a doctor examines you and writes a prescription you can fill at the clinic pharmacy. Typical costs are in our article on medical costs without insurance.
• Doctor call-outs to your hotel or villa, usually pricier than walking into a clinic.
• Teleconsultation via apps such as Halodoc or Alodokter: Indonesian-licensed doctors can issue an e-prescription if they judge it necessary, which you fill at a partner pharmacy with delivery. A doctor may decline to prescribe antibiotics without an in-person exam.
• Puskesmas (public health centres) for minor complaints at low cost, though morning queues can be long and not all staff speak fluent English.

Diarrhoea on holiday: do you need antibiotics?

Most traveller's diarrhoea clears up on its own within a few days and does not need antibiotics. Fluids matter most. Oral rehydration salts (oralit) are sold freely in pharmacies and minimarts, and diarrhoea remedies with a green circle (over-the-counter) or blue circle (limited OTC) logo can be bought without a prescription. Full treatment advice and when to see a doctor are in our Bali Belly article.

See a doctor promptly for high fever, bloody stools, vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down, signs of dehydration in children or older people, or symptoms lasting more than three days. That is when antibiotics may be needed, and the doctor decides which.

Can you bring antibiotics from home?

Yes, for personal use in reasonable quantities, ideally in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. Quantity limits and documents are covered in our article on bringing prescription medicine to Bali.

The risks of self-medicating

Antibiotics do nothing against viruses, so they will not help a cold or most diarrhoea. Stopping early or taking the wrong type breeds resistant bacteria, and side effects are real: rashes, stomach upset, allergic reactions and interactions with other medicines you take. Ciprofloxacin, for example, carries a warning about tendon damage. That is why a prescription is required.

Keep a photo of your regular medicines and their active ingredients. A Bali doctor will find an equivalent faster with the generic name than with a brand from your home country.