Pharmacies in Korea: Prescription, OTC Medicine and Late-Night Help
Need medicine during your trip to Korea? The most important sign to remember is 약국, which means pharmacy. Korean pharmacies generally dispense prescription medicine and also sell over-the-counter medicine in the same shop.
This guide explains what travelers can buy, what requires a prescription, and how to find an open pharmacy at night or on a weekend.
Prescription medicine and over-the-counter medicine
Korean pharmacies are not usually divided into a “prescription-only pharmacy” and a separate “OTC-only pharmacy.” At a regular pharmacy:
- A pharmacist can dispense prescription medicine when you present a valid prescription issued through the appropriate medical process in Korea.
- Some general medicines can be purchased without a prescription after speaking with the pharmacist.
- The pharmacist decides what can legally and safely be supplied.
A prescription or medicine from another country may not be accepted in the same way as a Korean prescription. If you need a continuing prescription medicine, bring enough for your trip when legally permitted, keep it in its original packaging, and carry supporting medical documents.
What to tell the pharmacist
- Your main symptoms and when they started
- Your age
- Medicine or food allergies
- Other medicines or supplements you are taking
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding, if applicable
- Important medical conditions
Show the pharmacist the active ingredient and packaging of medicine you already take. Brand names differ between countries, so the ingredient name is more useful.
Useful Korean phrases at a pharmacy
약국이 어디에 있어요? — Where is a pharmacy?
처방전 없이 살 수 있나요? — Can I buy this without a prescription?
이틀 전부터 목이 아파요. — My throat has hurt for two days.
이 약에 알레르기가 있어요. — I am allergic to this medicine.
이 약을 복용하고 있어요. — I am taking this medicine.
하루에 몇 번 먹어요? — How many times a day should I take it?
Medicine at convenience stores
Participating convenience stores may sell only a limited group of designated safe emergency medicines. Selection and stock vary. A convenience store is not a substitute for a pharmacist, and it cannot sell the full range of over-the-counter medicine.
Check the package, active ingredients, warnings, and expiration date. Avoid taking two products containing the same active ingredient. If you have allergies, chronic illness, are pregnant, or take other medicine, ask a pharmacist or medical professional.
How to find an open pharmacy
- Open the National Emergency Medical Center’s English E-Gen portal.
- Use the hospital or pharmacy search and enter your current area.
- Check the listed operating hours and call before traveling, especially at night, on Sundays, or on public holidays.
- In a Korean map app, search for 약국 and apply the open-now filter when available.
Hours shown online can change. Calling the pharmacy is the safest check.
When a pharmacy is not enough
Go to a clinic or hospital if symptoms are severe, worsening, caused by an injury, or require examination and testing. Call 119 for a serious or life-threatening medical emergency.
For multilingual tourism information or interpretation assistance, contact the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline. Police emergencies use 112.
A simple pharmacy checklist
- Passport or identification
- List of allergies and existing conditions
- Names and active ingredients of current medicines
- Travel-insurance information
- Payment card and some Korean won
- Phone translation app
Safety note: This article provides general travel information, not individual medical advice. Medicine rules, availability, and opening hours may change. Follow the instructions of a licensed pharmacist or medical professional.
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