When a foreign friend mentioned having a pimple on their face, Korean people reportedly said in unison, "Go to the pharmacy first." The friend asked, "Why the pharmacy and not the hospital?" ## In the past, the pharmacy was the neighborhood clinic In the old days, going to the hospital wasn't easy. It cost money and took a long time, too. So when people were sick, they often went to their neighborhood pharmacy first, described their symptoms, and bought medicine. The sight of the pharmacist recommending, "Try putting this on," has continued ever since. ## Roles are now separate, but the habit remains The separation of prescribing and dispensing began in 2000. Strong medicines can only be bought with a prescription written by a doctor, and pharmacies now either dispense medicine according to that prescription or sell medicines that can be bought without one. Even so, many ointments for minor wounds or pimples can be bought without a prescription. Pharmacies are plentiful near home and need no appointment, so even now they're the place where people say, "Let's just go and see." ## Try saying this when you go to the pharmacy Tell them when it started, whether it itches or hurts, and whether you've used any new cosmetics. Showing them a photo makes it easier. If the language is difficult, it's fine to use a translation app. However, if it doesn't get better after a few days of applying medicine, keeps spreading, or you get a fever, you should see a dermatologist. A pharmacist isn't someone who diagnoses illnesses; they help you within the range of medicines you can buy. Strong ointments may not be available to buy directly at a pharmacy.