Incheon Public Late-Night Pharmacies Average 4,909 Monthly Uses... Expanded from 13 to 16 Locations

Map of Public Late-Night Pharmacies in Incheon [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City is planning to increase the number of public late-night pharmacies, which are currently operating in 13 locations.

The city announced on the 3rd that it will accept applications for public late-night pharmacies in the Geomdan, Cheongna, and Yeonsu areas by August, designate three additional locations, and expand the operation to 16 locations starting next year.

Since starting with three locations in 2019, the city currently operates 13 public late-night pharmacies across eight districts for citizens who need medicine during late-night and holiday hours. Jung-gu operates two pharmacies independently in the Yeongjongdo and Wolmido areas.

Public late-night pharmacies are generally open 365 days a year from 10 PM to 1 AM. However, two locations operate two days a week, one location operates five days a week, one location operates until 3 AM year-round, and one location operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The city plans to designate additional public late-night pharmacies in Ganghwa-gun and Ongjin-gun if there are places interested in operating them in the future.

Meanwhile, the average monthly usage of Incheon public late-night pharmacies last year was 4,909 cases, a 38% increase compared to 3,556 cases the previous year.

Citizens' response to the operation of public late-night pharmacies was also positive, with 70.6% of respondents (568 people) in a satisfaction survey conducted last October answering "very satisfied" and 26.2% answering "satisfied."

Additionally, 97.1% of respondents said that using public late-night pharmacies was "helpful," and they expressed opinions such as "I hope they increase further."

An official from Incheon City stated, "Public late-night pharmacies not only alleviate the inconvenience of purchasing medicine during vulnerable hours but are also highly effective in minimizing drug misuse through pharmacists' medication guidance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.