Open Year-Round, Operating from 10 PM to 1 AM the Next Day
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Gyeongbuk Province will pilot operate 'Public Late-Night Pharmacies' every day from 10 PM to 1 AM the next day, including holidays, from July 1 until the end of the year.
Public Late-Night Pharmacies refer to pharmacies operated to alleviate the inconvenience residents face when purchasing medicines during vulnerable medical hours such as holidays and late-night hours, and to allow pharmacists to provide medication guidance and consultations.
The need for late-night pharmacy operation has been steadily demanded, but due to low user numbers, difficulties in hiring staff, and financial burdens, it has not been operated.
So far, the province has continuously requested the Ministry of Health and Welfare to support the operating costs of public late-night pharmacies, and this year, with national funding, a pilot operation (62 locations nationwide) has been launched.
Seven pharmacies operate as public late-night pharmacies, classified into urban types with populations over 100,000 and non-urban types with populations under 100,000 based on a population of 100,000.
Urban areas include Seomunjeil Pharmacy in Nam-gu, Pohang, Dukkeobi Pharmacy in Buk-gu, Pohang, Dream Pharmacy in Gimcheon, Bokgwangdang Pharmacy in Gyeongsan, and Daegu Pharmacy in Chilgok.
Non-urban areas include Sujeong Onnuri Pharmacy in Sangju and Yeyak Pharmacy in Yeongcheon.
Additionally, 11 pharmacies in four cities?Pohang, Gyeongju, Andong, and Gumi?are operating at night.
Gyeongbuk Province Nighttime Operating Pharmacies.
The province conducted a research project last year on the necessity and operational plans for introducing public late-night pharmacies to strengthen access to pharmaceutical services during vulnerable times such as holidays, nights, and late nights, and to provide high-quality public health medical services to residents.
Also, in March this year, the 'Gyeongbuk Province Public Late-Night Pharmacy Support Ordinance' was enacted, showing multifaceted efforts to operate 'Public Late-Night Pharmacies.'
Park Seongsu, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, “Operating public late-night pharmacies will minimize residents' inconvenience in purchasing medicines during late-night hours and greatly help prevent medication misuse and ensure safe medication.” He added, “We will continue to expand participating pharmacies and strive to improve residents' health.”
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