As of 2024, very little information regarding filling Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) prescriptions in Korea exists. We want to talk about the reason behind this information gap and provide more accurate information about how to fill such prescriptions. Please keep in mind, that information on this topic may evolve over time. History of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) in Korea EpiPens are life-saving devices used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) by delivering a quick dose of epinephrine. While they are more commonly known and prescribed in countries like the United States, their introduction to South Korea came much later. Timeline: When we researched Epinephrine Auto-Injectors on Naver, we found very little information. Most of it was posted in the last 3-5 years. Struggles for Foreigners Regarding EpiPens Due to the history of EpiPen awareness in Korea, foreigners (tourists and international residents) in South Korea who require EpiPen prescriptions can face several challenges related to the healthcare system, availability, and cultural differences. Below are the most common struggles: Limited Availability at Local Pharmacies Prescription Requirements Language Barriers Lack of Allergy Awareness Insurance Coverage and Cost Short Shelf Life Cultural Differences in Medical Practices These struggles highlight the importance of planning ahead and seeking specialized care for managing severe allergies as a foreigner in South Korea. Please keep reading to learn more so you can mitigate these areas of culture shock and stress. The following attempts to shed light on how you manage your EpiPen prescription in Korea. Who Usually Prescribes EpiPens in Korea? In South Korea, epinephrine auto-injectors are typically prescribed by: Where to Find Allergists in Korea: In South Korea, 알레르기내과 의사 (allergists) are typically found in specialized clinics and departments within large hospitals and medical centers. Here are the types of clinics where you can commonly find allergists: University Hospitals (대학병원) If you have a life-and-death allergy go to a University Hospital for your testing. Tertiary General Hospitals (종합병원) Specialized Allergy Clinics (알레르기 전문 클리닉) Pediatric Clinics (소아과) with Allergy Specialists ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Clinics with Allergy Services (이비인후과) You can NOT get an EpiPen at an ENT but they may be able to refer you. Do NOT go to an ENT if you are in a medical emergency! However, they may be able to refer you to a University Hospital. Potential Search Terms When looking for an allergist (알레르기내과 의사) in South Korea, it is recommended to use search terms like: By searching these terms on Naver or KakaoMap, you can locate clinics and hospitals with specialized allergy services near you. Prescription Requirement In South Korea, EpiPens require a prescription, and they are not as readily available as in some other countries. University hospitals and certain large hospitals are often the only places where prescriptions can be filled. Local pharmacies usually do not stock EpiPens due to their specialized nature and low demand. Search Terms for Brands and Generics When searching for Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) prescriptions in Korea, here are some helpful terms to know. They may help with online searches, but they can help communicate with medical staff. Common Brand Name Generic Names These search terms can be used when looking for information about epinephrine auto-injectors on Naver, Kakao, or through hospital websites. Remember, you might not find a lot of information. Keep that in mind. Process for Getting an EpiPen Perscription Depending on the severity of the situation or the hospital used, the process for getting an EpiPen could change. Additionally, the process for getting an EpiPen could take a few months. You need to start the process immediately before you have a medical emergency. Here are the 3 key parts to the prescription process: Referral to a University Hospital It’s often best to start with a referral from a local hospital. University Hospitals have very few openings and if you have a referral from a local hospital it can reduce your co-payment cost. Consultation and Testing At the university hospital, they will take your blood for testing and provide a consultation. In their situation, they were given EpiPens to have on hand while they waited for testing results. Review Testing Results and Prescription Return to the hospital to review results with the doctor. Costs for Getting an EpiPen in Korea There are two key parts to the cost of getting an EpiPen in South Korea: 1) the testing and 2) the EpiPen. Allergy Testing for the EpiPen To get a prescription for an EpiPen you need to conduct testing to establish your allergies. This means a blood test that costs around 431,000 KRW with NHIS. This price could change based on the hospital or type of allergies being tested for. The following image shows the receipt for a person with NHIS at Ajou Hospital in Suwon. Cost of EpiPens The following information may or may not be accurate depending on your insurance situation. Filling EpiPen Prescriptions at University Hospitals While researching the Epinephrine Auto-Injectors on Naver, we found very little information about beyond how to use them. We found no information on how to fill them. Additionally, the English language information offered inaccurate information about how to fill them. We, therefore, turned to the international resident community to learn where they filled their Epinephrine Auto-Injectors. International residents in online forums said they could only fill their epinephrine auto-injector prescriptions at university hospitals. Such hospitals have specialized pharmacies capable of handling such rare medications and will work closely with doctors to ensure availability. Therefore, we do not know the exact procedure for filling prescriptions at each hospital. Lived Experience Documentation Although we do not have access to a guide for filling EpiPen prescriptions, we do have a community member who shared their process for filling their prescription in 2024: At Ajou University in Suwon, you actually will get it filled inside the Ajou University Hospital in their pharmacy inside the hospital. The pharmacies outside the hospital do not keep them and have to order them in advance, which is why you just go to the allergy center inside the hospital, get your prescription, then go to the inside pharmacy in the same hospital and get the EpiPens. – EpiPen user in South Korea We encourage you to contact the international desk at each hospital to ask how to fill the prescription. List of Major University Hospitals in South Korea Here’s the contact information for international clinics at the major university hospitals in South Korea, along with their addresses in Korean. Keep in mind, that websites often get updated. These links are accurate as of 2024 but could change in the future. 아주대학교병원 (Ajou University Hospital) For international residents dealing with allergies and requiring medications like EpiPens, Ajou University Hospital’s Allergy Clinic is well-equipped to handle these specialized cases. They offer comprehensive testing, treatment, and support, including services tailored for non-Korean speakers through their international clinic. Additionally, our interviewee said, “The doctor at the allergy center and pretty much everyone there spoke fluent English.” Notes About Going to Ajou For Testing The Allergy Center is not in the main hospital but in the “well-being center” or 알레르기피부반응검사실 in Korean. Additionally, at the well-being center, they use a different procedure for checking in than the primary hospital. You have to go to the machines to manage your appointment and check-in. They can be changed to English. You put in your appointment number in, then you’ll wait for your number to be called and they’ll give you a Hospital ID card. You can’t lose this. And need it each time you come back for an appointment. 서울대학교병원 (Seoul National University Hospital) If any of the below information becomes out of date, you can use 1330 from a Korean smart phone to find the new information. Additionally, feel free to leave the corrections in the comments of this blog post: 아산병원 (Asan Medical Center) 삼성서울병원 (Samsung Medical Center) 연세대학교 세브란스병원 (Yonsei University Severance Hospital) 고려대학교병원 (Korea University Anam Hospital 부산대학교병원 (Pusan National University Hospital) 경북대학교병원 (Kyungpook National University Hospital) 전남대학교병원 (Chonnam National University Hospital) 충남대학교병원 (Chungnam National University Hospital) 울산대학교병원 (Ulsan University Hospital) These hospitals have well-established international clinics to assist foreign residents with their healthcare needs, including filling prescriptions for EpiPens and other medications. Conclusion Epinephrine auto-injectors are becoming more recognized and prescribed in South Korea, especially as awareness of severe allergies rises. However, prescriptions for EpiPens are typically handled by allergists and pediatricians at larger hospitals, especially university hospitals. International residents should consult specialists and be aware that university hospital pharmacies are often the only places where these prescriptions can be filled. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

The post Filling Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) Prescriptions in Korea appeared first on South of Seoul.