AJP FAQ: What's different about prescribed drugs in Korea?
By Kim Dong-youngPosted : October 6, 2026, 13:03Updated : October 6, 2026, 13:24
Image generated by Opus 5.5
At South Korean pharmacies, even the packaging offers a glimpse of everyday convenience: prescription pills come sealed in individual pouches, each containing one scheduled dose and labeled for morning, lunchtime, evening or bedtime. In the United States, pharmacists usually dispense pills in labeled bottles. In much of Europe, patients receive the manufacturer’s original packaging, typically containing blister strips.
Automated dispensing machines sort and package the pills. JVM, a Hanmi Science subsidiary, describes itself as the global leader in pouch-type dispensing automation. Pharmacies are also a frequent stop for overseas visitors: they accounted for 12.9 percent of foreign visitors’ medical spending in Korea in May 2026 and 69.8 percent of their medical transactions, according to the Korea Tourism Data Lab.