South Korea healthcare: Rising vaccine costs and expanded pharmacy access

In South Korea, rising costs for influenza vaccines and discussions regarding the expansion of over-the-counter medicines in convenience stores are highlighting shifts in healthcare accessibility and pricing.

Recent bidding results for influenza vaccines at regional public medical centers, such as the joint procurement for Pohang, Andong, and Gimcheon medical centers, show winning prices around 12,500 KRW per dose. This significantly exceeds the National Immunization Program (NIP) procurement price, which ranges from approximately 8,851 to 9,199 KRW. Industry experts suggest this rise in wholesale costs for private medical clinics may lead to higher out-of-pocket vaccination fees for consumers as distributors seek to offset lower NIP profit margins.

Simultaneously, the South Korean government is considering expanding the list of emergency medicines available at convenience stores. Data from major retailers like CU, GS25, Seven Eleven, and Emart24 indicates that sales of existing safety medicines—primarily painkillers and cold remedies—are heavily concentrated during nighttime hours and weekends, when pharmacies are often closed. While the convenience store industry advocates for adding items like anti-diarrheal agents and artificial tears to improve accessibility, pharmacist groups have expressed concerns regarding the potential for medicine misuse.