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
現役薬剤師が教える！薬局で買うべきサプリ 5選
現役の専門薬剤師が教える、ネットより薬局で買った方が良いサプリ 5選！ビタミンB群やコンドロイチンなど、医薬品グレードだからこその品質の ちがいとコスパの良さを詳しく解説します.
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!
Quick Search
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.