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How to Buy Medicine at a Korean Pharmacy (2026)

Checked against official sources on October 21, 2026

Illustration of a pharmacy counter with shelves of medicine boxes and a card terminal

Summary

Look for the sign 약국 (yakguk), walk in, and tell the pharmacist your symptoms in words or on your phone. Over-the-counter medicine needs no prescription; prescription-only medicine needs a doctor first. Each pharmacy sets its own prices. Pay by card or cash, read the dosage on the packet, and keep the receipt. As of October 2026, night and holiday pharmacies can be found on E-Gen.

At a glance

Look for
약국 (yakguk) sign
No prescription
Over-the-counter medicine
Needs a doctor first
Prescription-only medicine
Prices
Set by each pharmacy
Payment
Card or cash
Night or holiday
E-Gen or Holiday Pharmacy site

Step by step

How to buy medicine at a Korean pharmacy

Step 1 of 7 · Find a pharmacy

1Find the pharmacy sign

Look for the 약국 sign, or search 약국 in your map app

약국yakgukPharmacy

Read all steps as text

  1. 1. Find the pharmacy sign

    Look for the 약국 sign, or search 약국 in your map app

    Korean you will see: 약국 = Pharmacy

  2. 2. Say what you need

    Say what you need, or show the Korean on your phone

    Korean you will see: 감기약 주세요 = Cold medicine, please

  3. 3. Answer the questions

    The pharmacist may ask about allergies, other medicines and age

    Korean you will see: 알레르기 있으세요? = Do you have any allergies?

  4. 4. Prescription-only medicine

    Prescription-only medicine needs a doctor's prescription first

    Korean you will see: 처방전 필요해요 = A prescription is needed

  5. 5. Pay

    Pay by card or cash; carry some cash as a backup

    Korean you will see: 카드로 할게요 = I'll pay by card

  6. 6. Read the dosage

    Packet labels may read like this; ask how to take your medicine

    Korean you will see: 1일 3회, 식후 30분 = Three times a day, 30 minutes after a meal

  7. 7. Keep the receipt

    Ask for a receipt and keep it with the packet

    Korean you will see: 영수증 주세요 = A receipt, please

Korean for this

  • 약국 어디 있어요?

    yakguk eodi isseoyo?

    Where is a pharmacy?

  • 영수증 주세요

    yeongsujeung juseyo

    A receipt, please

  • 카드로 할게요

    kadeuro halgeyo

    I'll pay by card

  • 감기약 주세요

    gamgiyak juseyo

    Cold medicine, please

  • 진통제 주세요

    jintongje juseyo

    Painkillers, please

  • 소화제 주세요

    sohwaje juseyo

    Something for indigestion, please

All Korean phrases

Details

For a cold, a headache or an upset stomach, a Korean pharmacy is usually the first stop. This guide walks you through finding one, asking for what you need, paying and reading the instructions. It is practical travel information, not medical advice. If you feel seriously unwell, see how to see a doctor or call 119.

Before you start

  • Your symptoms, written down in English, ideally with the Korean on your phone screen (examples below).
  • Allergies and regular medicines, listed by ingredient name rather than brand name. Brand names differ between countries.
  • Your age and, if relevant, whether you are pregnant. The pharmacist may ask.
  • A card and some cash.
  • A translation app. For other ways to get language help, see getting help in your language.

Phrases you can say or show:

  • 약국 어디 있어요?yakguk eodi isseoyo?Where is a pharmacy?
  • 감기약 주세요gamgiyak juseyoCold medicine, please
  • 진통제 주세요jintongje juseyoPainkiller, please
  • 소화제 주세요sohwaje juseyoIndigestion medicine, please
  • 열이 나요yeori nayoI have a fever
  • 머리가 아파요meoriga apayoMy head hurts
  • 배가 아파요baega apayoMy stomach hurts

Step by step

Step 1 — Find a pharmacy

Look for the sign 약국yakgukPharmacy, often with the single character 약yakMedicine. Search for 약국 in a map app (see our map apps guide), or ask 약국 어디 있어요?yakguk eodi isseoyo?Where is a pharmacy?

Inside, the area behind the counter where medicine is prepared is often marked 조제실jojesilDispensing room.

Step 2 — Say what is wrong

Walk up to the counter and name your problem or show the Korean on your phone. Short phrases work: 감기약 주세요gamgiyak juseyoCold medicine, please or 배가 아파요baega apayoMy stomach hurts. Point to the part of your body that hurts.

Under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, "medication counselling" includes helping a customer choose the medicine they need without making a diagnostic judgment. A pharmacist can help you choose among over-the-counter products. A pharmacist cannot diagnose you.

Step 3 — Answer the pharmacist's questions

The pharmacist may ask about things that affect which medicine is safe for you. Expect questions such as:

  • Do you have allergies?
  • Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
  • Are you taking other medicines?
  • How old is the person who will take it? Say so if you are buying for a child.
  • How long have you had the symptoms?

Having your answers ready on your phone makes this quick. If you do not understand a question, say so and use the translation app. Do not guess.

Step 4 — Understand what you can buy

Korean law divides medicines into two groups.

  • Over-the-counter medicine (일반의약품ilban uiyakpumOver-the-counter medicine). You can buy it at a pharmacy without a prescription.
  • Prescription-only medicine (전문의약품jeonmun uiyakpumPrescription-only medicine). The Act defines it as any medicine that is not over-the-counter. You need a doctor's prescription (처방전cheobangjeonPrescription).

If the pharmacist says 처방전 필요해요cheobangjeon pillyohaeyoA prescription is needed, the medicine cannot be sold to you over the counter. You need to see a doctor in Korea first; see how to see a doctor. A prescription from your home country does not replace this. If you are unsure whether a medicine you carry is allowed in Korea, read the rules on night, holiday and convenience-store options and bringing medicine in.

For ideas on what travelers commonly look for, see popular medicines and Korean pharmacy must-buys. Those pages explain products. This page does not recommend any.

Step 5 — Pay

Ask the price if it is not shown. Over-the-counter prices are set by each pharmacy, so the same product can cost a different amount in a different pharmacy. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has described the system as a seller-set price display (판매자가격표시제panmaeja gagyeok pyosijeSeller price display system).

Most pharmacies take cards. The Specialized Credit Finance Business Act says a card merchant may not refuse to sell because you pay by card. Carry some cash anyway, for a small shop where the card machine is not working. If you want to pay by card, say 카드로 할게요kadeuro halgeyoI'll pay by card.

Step 6 — Check how to take it

When a pharmacist dispenses medicine on a prescription, the Act requires oral or written medication guidance, including written directions for taking it. For over-the-counter medicine, ask the pharmacist how to take it, and check the packet or the envelope.

Dosage is often written in Korean, for example 1일 3회 (1일 3회iril samhoeThree times a day) and 식후 30분 (식후 30분sikhu samsipbun30 minutes after a meal). Each medicine has its own schedule, so follow your pharmacist's instructions or the packet. Ask:

  • How many pills, and how often?
  • Before or after meals?
  • Does it make me sleepy?
  • How many days should I take it? When should I stop and see a doctor?

Photograph the packet or envelope. Your translation app can read the text.

Step 7 — Keep the receipt

Ask for 영수증 주세요yeongsujeung juseyoA receipt, please. Keep it with the packet. Travel insurers often ask for receipts, and the packet name helps if you need to tell a doctor what you took. See medical costs and insurance.

At a glance

Situation What to do
Minor symptoms, no prescription Go to a 약국yakgukPharmacy and ask for over-the-counter medicine
Pharmacist says 처방전 필요해요cheobangjeon pillyohaeyoA prescription is needed See a doctor first
Pharmacy closed at night or on a holiday Use the options on pharmacies at night and on holidays
Not sure what to take Describe symptoms and ask the pharmacist
Symptoms are severe or getting worse See a doctor or go to an emergency room

Common problems

  • The pharmacy is closed. Hours differ by pharmacy. The E-Gen pharmacy search lists opening hours, and our night and holiday guide shows other ways to find an open one.
  • You asked for a prescription-only medicine. The pharmacist cannot sell it without a prescription. Ask what you can take instead, or see a doctor.
  • No one speaks English. Show your phone, point to the problem, and use the phrases above. Having the ingredient names of your regular medicines written down helps most.
  • The price is different from the last pharmacy. Each pharmacy sets its own price for over-the-counter medicine. You can ask the price before you decide.
  • You cannot read the dosage. Ask the pharmacist to write the number and timing, or point to the line on the packet and ask 이거 어떻게 먹어요?igeo eotteoke meogeoyo?How do I take this?
  • Mixing medicines. Tell the pharmacist everything else you are taking, including supplements.

When to see a doctor instead

A pharmacy is for minor problems. See a doctor if symptoms are severe, keep getting worse, or do not improve, if you need prescription-only medicine, or if you have a long-term condition. Say 병원에 가야 해요byeongwone gaya haeyoI need to go to a hospital if you need directions. In an emergency, call 119; the ambulance is free in emergencies. See the emergency room guide.

Questions and answers

Do I need a prescription to buy medicine in Korea?

Not for over-the-counter medicine, which pharmacies sell without a prescription. Prescription-only medicine needs a doctor's prescription from a doctor in Korea.

Can the pharmacist diagnose what is wrong with me?

No. Under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, counselling when selling over-the-counter medicine means helping you choose, without a diagnostic judgment. For a diagnosis, see a doctor.

Do Korean pharmacies take foreign cards?

Most pharmacies accept cards, and the law says a card merchant may not refuse to sell because you pay by card. We found no official source about foreign cards in particular. Carry some cash as a backup.

Is the price the same everywhere?

No. Each pharmacy sets the price of over-the-counter medicines, so the same product can cost a different amount.

How do I find a pharmacy that is open at night?

Use the E-Gen pharmacy search, the Holiday Pharmacy site or 119. The details are in our pharmacies at night and on holidays guide.

Can I bring my own medicine from home instead?

Some medicines are controlled in Korea and need approval before you arrive. Check the rules on bringing medicine into Korea before you fly.

Official sources (6)

Last checked October 21, 2026Next check due April 19, 2027

Rules can change. Confirm on the official site before you travel.

Next stepPopular Medicines in Korea: Colds, Pain and Upset Stomachs (2026)

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