Find the right medicine
in Korea
Type your symptom in English. We'll show you the right Korean OTC medicine and help you communicate with the pharmacist.
Free public service · Powered by MFDS open data · Updated monthly
Latest News
Updates and tips for using medicines in Korea
Motion Sickness Pills in Korea: Kimite, Bonaling & Toslong OTC Guide
A foreigner's guide to buying motion sickness medicine in Korea: compare the Kimite patch, Bonaling chewables and Toslong liquid, with dosing, timing, prices and pharmacy phrases.
Korean Band-Aid and Burn Cream: OTC First-Aid Pharmacy Guide
A foreigner's guide to Korean band-aid and burn cream at the pharmacy. Learn what to buy for cuts and minor burns, Madecassol vs Fucidin, hydrocolloid dressings, prices, and what to say to the pharmacist.
24-Hour & Weekend Pharmacy in Seoul: How to Buy Medicine Anytime
No pharmacy open in Seoul at night or on a holiday? Learn how to find a 24-hour pharmacy, buy 13 OTC medicines at convenience stores, use the e-gen app, and what to say at a Korean pharmacy as a foreigner.
Best Eye Drops for Dry Eyes in Korea: OTC Pharmacy Guide
Buy eye drops for dry eyes, redness and eye strain at a Korean pharmacy with no prescription. Real KRW prices, brands, what to say in Korean, and safety tips.
Pro Pharmacist's Top 5 Must-Buys
Professional Pharmacists reveals why pharmacy supplements are better than online ones. Check out the top 5 must-buys like Vit B and Chondroitin with better quality and lower price. Its a total game changer for your health!
Muscle Pain Patch Korea: Ketotop, Trast & Antiphlamine OTC Guide
Buy a muscle pain patch in Korea without a prescription. Compare Ketotop, Trast, and Antiphlamine, NSAID vs menthol, hot vs cool, and key safety tips.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is BeautyDir Pharm?▾
BeautyDir Pharm is a free online service that helps foreigners find over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in South Korea. You can search by symptom in English and get the correct Korean medicine name, dosage, and cautions — making pharmacy visits much easier.
Is BeautyDir Pharm free to use?▾
Yes, BeautyDir Pharm is completely free. It is a public-interest service powered by Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS / 식품의약품안전처) open data. No registration or payment is required.
Where does the medicine data come from?▾
All medicine information is sourced from the official MFDS (식품의약품안전처) public dataset called e약은요 (Drug Easy Guide), available on Korea's Public Data Portal (data.go.kr). This is the same data used by Korean healthcare professionals.
How often is the medicine data updated?▾
The BeautyDir Pharm medicine database is updated monthly from the MFDS public API. This ensures the information stays current with the latest registered OTC drugs in Korea. Data is refreshed around the 1st of each month (매월 갱신).
What is the Pharmacy Communication Card?▾
The Pharmacy Card is a bilingual (Korean + English) printable card you can build from your medicine searches. Add the medicines you need, then show the card to the Korean pharmacist. No Korean language skills required.
Can I use BeautyDir Pharm to find a pharmacy near me?▾
Yes. The Pharmacy Finder uses your GPS location to show nearby pharmacies with their opening hours, 24-hour availability, and whether English-speaking staff are available.
Are all medicines on BeautyDir Pharm available without a prescription?▾
BeautyDir Pharm focuses on OTC (over-the-counter / 일반의약품) medicines that can be purchased at Korean pharmacies without a prescription. However, always confirm with the pharmacist as some medicines may require a doctor's prescription.