Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Japan makes erectile dysfunction medicine available without a prescription
Japan began selling Cialis over the counter at drugstores across the country in late August.
Cialis contains tadalafil and is used to treat erectile dysfunction, which can make it difficult to get or keep an erection.
The change aims to make treatment easier to obtain for men who have been reluctant to seek medical care.
A 2024 estimate from the Japanese Society for Sexual Medicine put the number of men with erectile dysfunction in Japan at about 14 million.
Some men have turned to low-quality medicines bought online from overseas, which have caused health problems.
Buyers must be 18 or older and receive pharmacist guidance before purchasing the medicine.
The drug’s manufacturer says sales have been far higher than it expected.
Japan began selling an erectile dysfunction medication over the counter at drugstores nationwide in late August 2026.
The drug is Cialis, whose generic name is tadalafil, and it requires guidance from a pharmacist.
It can be bought only by men aged 18 or older.
The change aims to make treatment easier to obtain for men who have been reluctant to seek medical care.
The manufacturer and distributor said sales have far exceeded expectations.
- Who
- Men aged 18 or older can buy the medication.
- What
- Cialis, an erectile dysfunction treatment, became available without a prescription at drugstores.
- When
- Nationwide sales began in late August 2026.
- Where
- Drugstores across Japan.
- Why
- Over-the-counter access is intended to make treatment easier for men who have hesitated to seek medical care.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cialis was shown on sale at a Welcia drugstore in Tokyo.
Drugstores across Japan began selling the medication over the counter.
- Drug
- Cialis; generic name: tadalafil
- Sales start
- Late August 2026
- Minimum buyer age
- 18
- Estimated number of men with erectile dysfunction in Japan
- About 14 million
- Drug category
- Requires guidance from a pharmacist
What people are saying
I wouldn't want to go to a hospital just to get medication, but if it's available over the counter, it feels much easier to try.
The condition is closely tied to self-esteem, creating a significant psychological barrier to seeking advice or treatment.
Misconception must first be addressed. It is not an aphrodisiac or a sexual stimulant.