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Busan Metropolitan City Expands “Public Late-Night Pharmacies” for Lunar New Year Holiday, Ensuring Access to Medicines Even Late at Night

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that it will expand the number of “Public Late-Night Pharmacies” to a total of 18 in 2026 to address inconvenience in accessing medicines during holidays and late-night hours and to create a safe environment for medication use.

Public Late-Night Pharmacies are pharmacies that remain open during medically underserved hours, from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. the following day, providing medication dispensing and sales services as well as professional consultation on medication use by licensed pharmacists.

Busan Metropolitan City began operating four Public Late-Night Pharmacies in 2021 and has steadily expanded the program to enhance accessibility for citizens, increasing the number to 14 in 2024, 15 in 2025, and 18 in 2026. The three newly designated pharmacies this year are Hanmaeum Pharmacy in Gupo-dong, Buk-gu; Gwangje Pharmacy in Sajik-dong, Dongnae-gu; and Miso Pharmacy in Yangjeong-dong, Busanjin-gu.

The number of users of Public Late-Night Pharmacies has risen sharply each year, drawing strong support from citizens and firmly establishing the service as the most easily accessible healthcare option during late-night hours.

As of last year (2025), approximately 75,000 people used the service annually, resulting in more than 99,000 cases of medication sales and consultations.

In addition, during the previous Chuseok holiday period, when concerns arose about potential gaps in medical services, most Public Late-Night Pharmacies operated without closure, enhancing access to medicines and contributing to the alleviation of overcrowding in emergency rooms.

During this Lunar New Year holiday as well, most Public Late-Night Pharmacies are expected to operate without closure, playing a significant role in improving citizens’ convenience in purchasing medicines.

Information on the operation of Public Late-Night Pharmacies during the Lunar New Year holiday can be found on the Busan Metropolitan City website under “2026 Lunar New Year Holiday Information” at https://www.busan.go.kr/holiday, and pharmacy locations and real-time operating information are available through the Emergency Medical Portal at https://www.e-gen.or.kr.

Cho Gyu-yul, Director General of the Citizen Health Bureau, stated, “Public Late-Night Pharmacies are community-centered public healthcare services that help citizens safely access medicines even late at night,” adding, “We will continue to make every effort to protect citizens’ right to health by expanding operations in reflection of local conditions and firmly establishing the system.”