One of the things foreign visitors to South Korea are often amazed by is that they can get medicine even on weekends or public holidays. That’s because, in most countries, places either close early on public holidays or don’t open at all. In South Korea, pharmacies keep operating as pharmacies on duty even on weekends and public holidays, so you can respond to sudden health issues.
Pharmacies on duty are open even on holidays: Minimize inconvenience for residents
Pharmacies on duty are run by assigning a rotation order through each local pharmacists’ association. If you get suddenly sick with an acute stomachache or a cold on a weekend, public holiday, or at night, but it isn’t serious enough that you need to go to an emergency room, you can use a pharmacy on duty. Especially for foreigners, it’s an advantage that you can use the system even if an emergency happens while traveling.
Search easily on a portal: Convenient even for foreigners
Checking pharmacies on duty is simple. If you search for the “Holiday Pharmacy Finder” website on portal sites like Naver or the like, it will show nearby pharmacies based on your location. You can also search by pharmacy name, road address, or neighborhood (dong) name. On this site, you can find the pharmacy’s business hours and contact information, as well as whether it carries veterinary medicine.
Emergency Medical Portal E-Gen: From hospitals to pharmacies
On the “E-Gen” site, you can check information for both hospitals and pharmacies based on location. It provides details including operating hours and contact information, and also whether an emergency room is open. You can also search for private ambulances to prepare for urgent situations.
Information about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is also available. Based on your current location, you can see whether AEDs nearby are available and how to use them. The site also provides information on how to use AEDs.
What sets South Korea’s pharmacies apart: The role of medical professionals
Pharmacies in South Korea aren’t just places that sell medicine. After consulting with a pharmacist about your symptoms, you can be recommended appropriate over-the-counter medications, and you can also get explanations about how to take them and possible side effects. You can even ask whether you need to visit a hospital.
However, you can’t purchase every type of medicine at a pharmacy. Certain prescription-only drugs, such as antibiotics, may require a doctor’s prescription. So if you have severe chest pain or trouble breathing, you should go to an emergency room. The same is true for symptoms such as decreased consciousness, heavy bleeding, or serious trauma. If the pain or injury is serious, you can call 119 to get help.
