also: うりぐすり
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
patent medicine; over-the-counter drug
Refers to ready-made, commercially sold medicines that do not require a prescription. Often used in historical or traditional contexts, but still understood today.
During the Edo period, patent medicines were widely used.
This over-the-counter medicine works for headaches.
druggist; chemist; pharmacist
drugstore; pharmacy
Standard kanji form; the reading ばいやく is the most common.
Alternate spelling with okurigana; reading うりぐすり is less common but still used.
A Sino-Japanese compound of 売, “sell,” and 薬, “medicine,” referring historically to medicine manufactured for commercial sale, especially proprietary household remedies.