A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO KOREAN PRESCRIPTIONS AND PHARMACY BAGS

Whether you’re a tourist seeking quick relief for a cold or a resident navigating healthcare in South Korea, understanding how prescriptions work can save you confusion and ensure you take your medicine correctly. Korean pharmacies operate a bit differently from what you might be used to, especially when it comes to how medications are dispensed and labelled. This guide will help you read your prescription bags confidently and understand the essentials of Korean pharmacy culture.

1.   WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT AT A KOREAN PHARMACY?

Credits: visitkorea.or.kr

In South Korea, after visiting a clinic or hospital, you’ll usually receive a printed or digital prescription (처방전) that you take to a nearby pharmacy (약국). Pharmacies are easy to spot, with a green cross or the word “약” displayed prominently.

At a Korean pharmacy, you can expect the following things:

·   LICENSED PHARMACY CONSULTATION - A trained pharmacist is always ready to advise you on over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, proper dosing, and potential side effects or help you read and understand the prescriptions you get from your doctor.

·   PRESCRIPTION FILLING - The pharmacist will process and dispense prescription drugs directly and often contact your doctor if there are any questions.

·   MEDICATIONS & SUPPLEMENTS - Pharmacies in South Korea sell a wide selection of both OTC medications (common pain relievers like Ibuprofen, cold or allergy meds, digestive aids, vitamins, herbal supplements, and traditional remedies) and prescription medications.

·   HEALTH & WELLNESS PRODUCTS - All pharmacies have products such as bandages, wound care, first-aid kits, thermometers, sanitizers, blood pressure monitors, vitamins, face masks, and sunblock.

·   INSURANCE CARD (건강보험증) - Many pharmacies accept the national health insurance card that helps you get discounts at hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, reduce fees for most medical services and makes you eligible for national health check-ups; international students staying in Korea for more than 6 months are required by law to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) system to have full access to South Korea’s healthcare system.

·   POINT/STAMP PROGRAMS - Some pharmacy chains offer loyalty points or stamps that you can redeem for discounts on future purchases.

·   IN-STORE PRIVATE COUNSELING AREA - Many pharmacies have a small partitioned desk or semi-private corner where clients can have one-to-one discussions about sensitive health concerns.

·  CLEAR PACKAGING & LABELING - Medications come in blister packs or labelled bottles, with dosing instructions in Korean and oftentimes also in English in tourist areas.

· BASIC HEALTH SCREENINGS - Many pharmacies offer quick tests like blood pressure checks, blood sugar monitoring, or COVID antigen tests, which are usually free or for a small fee.

EXTENDED HOURS

Pharmacies are typically open from 9 AM to 6/7 PM (Monday-Friday), 9 AM to 1/2 PM (on Saturdays) and closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Although rare, in big cities like Seoul and Busan, you can find night pharmacies (야간약국), particularly near hospitals or in busy districts, which are open until 11 PM or even 24 hours a day. You can find night pharmacies using apps like Naver Map, Kakeo Map or the official website of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) by searching 24시간 약국” (24-hour pharmacy) or “야간 약국” (night pharmacy).

2.  WHAT MAKES KOREAN PHARMACIES UNIQUE?

Credits: visitkorea.or.kr

· PRE-DIVIDED SINGLE-DOSE POUCHES - Unlike in some countries where you receive a box/bottle of pills with written instructions, Korean pharmacies often divide your medicine into single-dose packets, labelled by time and day. You’ll typically receive a small paper bag with multiple pouches, each containing a full set of medications for a specific time ( morning, lunch, evening).

· PAPER BAGS INSTEAD OF PLASTIC BOTTLES - Your meds come in a labelled envelope or bag with all your doses organized inside.

·   CLEAR TIME-OF-DAY LABELING - pouches are marked with specific times, making it easy to follow the schedule.

·   MIXED PILLS IN ONE PACKET - instead of one type of pill per box/bottle, each packet contains a mix of different pills you need to take together.

·   PRINTED DOSAGE SUMMARY - A pharmacy slip or label explains how many days the meds are for, how often to take them, and when to take them.

·  MINIMAL INFORMATION ON THE PILLS THEMSELVES - The pills usually come without individual labels or names, which is why it’s important to follow the instructions from the pharmacist carefully.

·  MORE PHARMACIST-CLIENT INTERACTION - Pharmacists usually explain how to take your meds in person, sometimes even drawing pictures or highlighting times.

3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OVER-THE-COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS?

Credits: visitkorea.or.kr

Many medications, like antibiotics or stronger painkillers, require a doctor’s prescription in Korea. However, common cold remedies, painkillers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, digestive aids, and topical creams can be purchased over-the-counter at most pharmacies. If you're looking for something specific, you can ask the pharmacist directly, and you’ll be recommended the best option for you.

4.  WHAT IS THE ANATOMY OF A KOREAN PHARMACY BAG?

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Each prescription pouch is clearly labeled, but it can be tricky if you don’t know Korean, so here is a list of the information you’ll usually see on a pharmacy bag or envelope:

·       Patient’s name and age – 환자 이름 및 나이

·       Pharmacy name and contact information – 약국 이름 및 연락처

·       Doctor’s name or hospital –  의사 이름 또는 병원 이름

·       Date of dispensing – 조제일자 / 약 조제 날짜

·       Dosage instructions – 복용 방법

·       Duration – 기간

·       Number of doses per day – 1일 복용 횟수

·       Warnings or additional instructions – 주의사항 또는 추가 안내

Credits: flickr.com

5.  WHAT ARE SOME COMMON KOREAN TERMS THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW TO READ A PHARMACY PRESCRIPTION IN KOREAN?

·       이름  = name

·       나이 = age

·       약 = medicine

·       내복약 = oral medicine (to be taken by mouth)

·       외용약 = topical medicine (external use)

·       약국 = pharmacy

·       의사 = doctor

·       병원 = hospital

·       조제 = dispensing

·       아침 = morning

·       점심 = afternoon

·       저녁 = evening

·       자기 전 = before going to sleep

·       식후 = after meals

·       식전 = before meals

·       식후 30분 = 30 minutes after eating

·       하루 1회 = once a day

·       하루 2회 = twice a day

·       하루 3회 = three times a day

·       금주 = no alcohol

·       금연 = no smoking

6.  WHAT IMPORTANT PHRASES MIGHT YOU SEE ON A PHARMACY PRESCRIPTION IN SOUTH KOREA?

COMMON DOSAGE INSTRUCTIONS

·       1일 1회 복용 = take once a day

·       1일 2회 복용 = take twive a day

·       1일 3회 복용 = take three times a day

·       식후 30분 복용 = take 30 minutes after meals

·       식전 복용 = take before meals

·       취침 전 복용 = take before bedtime

·       통증 시 복용 = take when in pain

·       필요시 복용 = take if needed

GENERAL WARNINGS & ADVICE

·       물과 함께 복용하세요 = take with water

·       음식과 함께 복용하세요 = take with food

·       졸음을 유발할 수 있습니다 = may cause drowsiness

·       운전이나 기계 조작 주의 = caution when driving or operating machinery

·       직사광선을 피하세요 = avoid direct sunlight

·       어린이 손에 닿지 않는 곳에 보관하세요 = keep out of reach of children

STORAGE & HANDLING

·       서늘한 곳에 보관하세요 = store in a cool place

·       냉장 보관 = keep refrigerated

·       개봉 후 사용하세요 = use after opening

7.  WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR FOREIGNERS FOR NAVIGATING KOREAN PHARMACIES?

Credits: koreatimes.co.kr

·   UNDERSTAND THE SEPARATION OF ROLE IN THE KOREAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM - In South Korea, doctors prescribe, and pharmacists dispense, so you won't get medicine directly from the hospital or clinic. You must take your prescription to a pharmacy nearby and purchase everything recommended by your doctor in your prescription.

· ASK A KOREAN FRIEND TO ACCOMPANY YOU OR USE A TRANSLATION APP - Most pharmacists are helpful but may not speak fluent English, so bring a Korean-speaking friend or use translation apps like Papago or Google Translate to communicate symptoms or ask questions effectively.

· LOOK FOR THE 약 (YAK) SIGN - The Korean word for medicine is 약 and is often displayed prominently on signs outside, so if you’re looking for a pharmacy, scan for this symbol.

· MIND THE OPENING HOURS - Pharmacies near hospitals often have extended hours, but neighborhood ones may close early or on Sundays, so always check before you go, especially in the evening and at night.

·   KNOW YOUR ALLERGIES AND COMMUNICATE THEM CLEARLY - Let the pharmacist know if you have any allergies or conditions to avoid any adverse reactions.

·   ASK HOW TO TAKE THE MEDICINE CORRECTLY - If something is unclear or you just want to make sure you understood the correct way to take the prescribed medicine, don’t hesitate to ask questions for clarification.

·    KEEP THE PAPER BAG AND POUCHES ORGANIZED - Korean prescriptions often come in daily-dose packets for each time of the day (morning, afternoon, evening), so don’t mix them up because each pouch is carefully prepared and should be taken as is, at the indicated times.

·  FOLLOW THE SYMBOLS AND MARKINGS CAREFULLY - Dosage instructions are sometimes marked with simple symbols, so learn the common ones and confirm with the pharmacist if you’re unsure.

·   NEVER EXPECT REFILLS - In South Korea, prescriptions are usually one-time use, so if you need ongoing medication, you’ll have to revisit the doctor and ask for another prescription after your health situation is reassessed.

·  CARRY SOME CASH WITH YOU - While the majority of the pharmacies in South Korea accept cards, smaller or neighborhood pharmacies might prefer cash, so having a bit of Korean won on hand is a great idea.

Navigating a pharmacy in Korea doesn’t have to be intimidating because with a bit of vocabulary and understanding of how medication is packaged and labelled, you can confidently manage your prescriptions. Whether you’re here for a short trip or a long stay, learning how to read a Korean prescription bag is a simple but empowering step toward feeling at home in South Korea!