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Author: Sia
Recently, a famous Korean comedian made headlines for alleged "drug-impaired driving."
He reportedly drove after taking his usual medication for panic disorder, unaware of its effects. He apologized, stating he didn't realize the drug's impact on his driving ability.
Korean road traffic law prohibits driving under the influence of substances that impair normal driving ability. Even prescription medications that may reduce concentration or cognitive function should be avoided when driving.
This incident resonated with many people who thought, "That could happen to me, too."
Even for a common cold, doctors prescribe various medications. However, we often don't consider how these drugs might affect our daily lives.
Curious about the ingredients and side effects of your medication? Check the medication bag. 💊
How to Check Your Prescribed Medication
Living abroad, you might hesitate to visit a hospital when sick due to concerns about medical costs. 🥹💸
However, seeking medical attention promptly when you are ill can often reduce both suffering and expenses!
Most foreigners studying or working in Korea are likely enrolled in the National Health Insurance program.
With health insurance, a significant portion of medical fees is covered, so don't hesitate to visit a hospital when needed!
📌Visiting Clinics Based on Symptoms
What symptoms are you experiencing?
The type of clinic you should visit may vary depending on your symptoms:
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Nae-gwa(내과, Internal Medicine), Ga-jeong-ui-hag-gwa(가정의학과, Family Medicine) : General symptoms, colds, body aches
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I-bi-in-hu-gwa(이비인후과, Otolaryngology) : Nasal congestion, sore throat, rhinitis, cough, ear issues
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Jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa(정형외과, Orthopedics) : Bone, joint, and muscle-related conditions
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San-bu-in-gwa(산부인과, Obstetrics and Gynecology) : Female reproductive health issues
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Bi-nyo-gi-gwa(비뇨기과, Urology) : Male reproductive and urinary tract issues
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Jeong-sin-geon-gang-ui-hag-gwa(정신건강의학과, Psychiatry) : Depression, anxiety, panic disorders, mental health concerns
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Han-ui-won(한의원, Traditional Korean Medicine) : Muscle pain, chronic fatigue, digestive issues
Visit a nearby clinic based on your symptoms.
Typically, the doctor will examine you, provide basic treatment, and prescribe medication as needed.
If additional tests are needed, the hospital will guide you through the following steps.
📌Got a Prescription? Head to a Nearby Pharmacy
After receiving a prescription from the hospital, you can get your medication at a nearby pharmacy.
By law, the following information must be displayed on the medication paper bag:
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Patient's name, dosage, and instructions from the prescription
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Date of dispensing
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Pharmacist's name
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Name and address of the pharmacy or medical institution
Pharmacists should provide "medication guidance" when dispensing.
If you have any questions about taking the medication or its dosage, please don't hesitate to ask your pharmacist.
📌Can I Drive After Taking Medication? Checking Your Drug's Ingredients
Korean pharmaceutical companies manufacture the majority of medications prescribed in Korea.
The medication bags usually only display the drug names in Korean. You can find information about these drugs on government websites.
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Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (식품의약품안전처) - Link
If you're not familiar with Korean, use Chrome's translation feature to review the content. 😉
It's good to check these points:
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Possible side effects: Cautions about driving or operating machinery due to drowsiness, etc.
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Whether smoking or alcohol consumption is allowed after taking the medication
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Presence of allergens (e.g., lactose)
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Whether it's safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women
📌Experiencing Side Effects? Bring Your Medication Bag to the Hospital!
Sometimes, your symptoms might not improve, or you might experience unexpected side effects.
In such cases, we recommend visiting another hospital with your medication bag.
This helps quickly inform the doctor about what you've been taking, allowing for better treatment.
Proper Disposal of Unused Medications to Protect the Environment
Do you always take your prescribed medications as directed?
Missed doses, expired painkillers — unused medications tend to pile up on shelves.
Did you know that pharmaceuticals need to be disposed of in a 'special way' to avoid harming the environment?
📌Shred Prescriptions and Bags for Privacy!
As mentioned earlier, prescriptions from hospitals and medication bags from pharmacies contain personal information.
To protect sensitive personal data, we recommend shredding these papers before disposing of them.
📌Use Collection Boxes for Unused Meds!
When unused medications—especially antibiotics—are thrown in the trash or down the drain, they can promote antibiotic resistance in the environment.
These resistant bacteria (superbugs) can cause hard-to-treat infections if they enter humans or animals.
Moreover, antibiotics can accumulate in drinking water, agricultural products, and seafood, negatively affecting the gut microbiome of people who consume them.
To prevent this, Korea has a separate collection system for medications.
You can find 'unused medication collection boxes(폐의약품 수거함)' at public health centers, community centers, and administrative welfare centers.
Collect your unused medications and dispose of them in the designated boxes when you visit these institutions! 🗑️
📌Vitamins & Supplements = Regular Waste
Easily accessible 'nutritional supplements' like vitamins and omega-3 are classified as 'Health supplements', not medications.
Health supplements are intended for nutritional supplementation and mostly consist of simple nutrients, posing a relatively low risk of ecological disruption.
Therefore, expired health supplements can be disposed of in regular trash bags. 🚮
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July brings hot and humid weather.
During this time, we're more susceptible to various illnesses, so it's crucial to pay extra attention to our health.
Stay healthy and energized this summer with tips from The Pylon Club!
