Filling Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) Prescriptions in Korea

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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.

Table of Contents

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:

  • Early Years: Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens) prescriptions in Korea were not widely available until relatively recently. Due to lower awareness of anaphylaxis and less demand for auto-injectors, initial availability was limited.
  • Recent Years: In the 2010s, with an increase in cases of food allergies, drug allergies, and insect stings, the demand for epinephrine auto-injectors grew. The Korean medical system adapted by allowing greater access to these devices, but their distribution remains more restricted than in some Western countries.
  • Research: If you would like to know more about epinephrine in Korea, read this research article. Prevalence of anaphylaxis and prescription rates of epinephrine auto-injectors in urban and rural areas of Korea

When we researched Epinephrine Auto-Injectors on Naver, we found very little information. Most of it was posted in the last 3-5 years.

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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

  • Challenge: Unlike in many Western countries, EpiPens are not commonly stocked at neighborhood pharmacies. They are usually available only in pharmacies near university hospitals or large general hospitals.
  • Impact: Foreigners may have to travel longer distances or visit specific hospital-linked pharmacies to fill their prescriptions, making it inconvenient for those living in smaller cities or rural areas.

Prescription Requirements

  • Challenge: EpiPens are prescription-only medications in South Korea, and not all general practitioners are familiar with diagnosing anaphylaxis or issuing prescriptions for epinephrine auto-injectors. Foreigners must often visit specialists such as allergists at large hospitals.
  • Impact: This could involve longer wait times or difficulty accessing specialized care, particularly for foreigners who are unfamiliar with the hospital system. Finding a doctor who can issue the prescription may also be more time-consuming, and language barriers add to the complexity.

Language Barriers

  • Challenge: Communication issues often arise when foreigners need to explain their medical history or request specific medications. While major hospitals have international clinics with English-speaking staff, smaller clinics, and pharmacies often do not.
  • Impact: Foreigners may struggle to explain their need for an EpiPen or understand the doctor’s recommendations, particularly in more remote areas. This can make the prescription process longer and more stressful.

Lack of Allergy Awareness

  • Challenge: Food allergies and severe allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis) are not as widely recognized in South Korea as they are in many Western countries. This can result in a lack of urgency or understanding when requesting an EpiPen prescription.
  • Impact: Foreigners may need to advocate strongly for their need for an EpiPen, as healthcare providers might not immediately recognize the severity of their condition. This may lead to delays in receiving the prescription or difficulty obtaining it.

Insurance Coverage and Cost

  • Challenge: While the National Health Insurance (NHIS) in South Korea covers a portion of the cost for EpiPens, foreigners who are not enrolled or are waiting to be enrolled may face higher out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, navigating the insurance claim process can be complex for non-Korean speakers.
  • Impact: Without insurance, the cost of an EpiPen can be quite high, and those without long-term visas or awaiting NHIS enrollment may face financial hurdles. The insurance process can also be confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with Korean healthcare systems.

Short Shelf Life

  • Challenge: EpiPens in South Korea typically have a shelf life of about one year, and replacements may not be easy to acquire. Keeping a continuous supply of in-date injectors requires planning ahead.
  • Impact: Foreigners may have difficulty maintaining up-to-date EpiPens due to the complexities of re-prescription and refilling processes, especially if they frequently travel or relocate within Korea.

Cultural Differences in Medical Practices

  • Challenge: The concept of carrying an EpiPen for emergency use is less common in South Korea. Some healthcare providers may prioritize hospital-based treatment rather than immediate self-care with an EpiPen.
  • Impact: Foreigners who are used to the Western practice of self-administering EpiPens in emergencies might find the Korean system less accommodating or slower to recognize the necessity of immediate access to EpiPens.

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:

  • Allergists: Specialists in allergies (알레르기내과 의사) are the most likely to prescribe EpiPens for patients diagnosed with severe allergies.
  • Pediatricians: Children diagnosed with food allergies or other severe allergic conditions may receive prescriptions from pediatricians (소아과 의사), especially after diagnostic testing.
  • Emergency Medicine Doctors: After a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic event, patients may receive an EpiPen prescription from emergency care physicians (응급의학과 의사).

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.

  • University hospitals usually have allergy and immunology departments (알레르기내과) with highly specialized doctors who treat allergies, asthma, and immune disorders.

Tertiary General Hospitals (종합병원)

  • You can NOT get an Epipen at a 내과. A 내과 can not give you the Epipen but can refer you to the allergy specialist who will then be able to fill the prescription so factor in waiting times for appointment availability.
  • Hospitals like Samsung Medical Center and Pusan National University Hospital fall into this category. These hospitals handle more complex cases, including severe allergic reactions (like anaphylaxis).

Specialized Allergy Clinics (알레르기 전문 클리닉)

  • Smaller, privately-run clinics that focus on allergic conditions such as food allergies, drug allergies, asthma, and skin allergies. These clinics usually offer outpatient services like allergy tests (skin prick tests, blood tests) and treatment plans, including immunotherapy.
  • Clinics can be found in larger cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Incheon, where there is a higher demand for specialized services.

Pediatric Clinics (소아과) with Allergy Specialists

  • Pediatric hospitals or clinics with a focus on allergy care for children often employ specialists who handle pediatric allergies such as food allergies, eczema, and asthma. These doctors frequently collaborate with schools and kindergartens to manage children’s allergy needs.

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.

  • Many ENT clinics (이비인후과) in South Korea provide allergy services, especially for rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma.

Potential Search Terms

When looking for an allergist (알레르기내과 의사) in South Korea, it is recommended to use search terms like:

  • 알레르기내과 병원 (Allergy Internal Medicine Hospital)
  • 알레르기 클리닉 (Allergy Clinic)
  • 알레르기 검사 병원 (Allergy Testing Hospital)

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

  • 에피펜 (EpiPen) – The most recognized brand of epinephrine auto-injector globally, including in Korea.

Generic Names

  • 에피네프린 자가주사기 (Epinephrine Auto-Injector) – This is the generic term for epinephrine auto-injectors.
  • 알레르기 응급주사기 (Allergy Emergency Injector) – Another term used for emergency injectors for allergic reactions.

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.

  • Wait 1-2 months for the next appointment.

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.

  • Wait 1-2 months for 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

    Example of the panel run for allergy testing at Ajou University Hospital in Suwaon

    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.

    Example of allergy testing cost with NHIS at Ajou University Hosptial in Suwon

    Cost of EpiPens

    The following information may or may not be accurate depending on your insurance situation.

    • Insurance Coverage: If covered by Korean National Health Insurance, the cost for a package of two auto-injectors is about 56,700 KRW (approximately $40–50 USD). This price is for insured patients, and the cost may be further reduced if you have supplementary private insurance.
    • Without Insurance: For non-insured patients, the cost can be significantly higher, and prices may vary.

    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)

    • Area: Suwon
    • Phone: +82-31-219-5301 (International Clinic)
    • Website: Ajou University Hospital
    • Address: 경기도 수원시 영통구 월드컵로 164 (아주대학교병원), 16499

    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
    • Allergy Center Name: 알레르기피부반응검사실(웰빙1층)
    • English Translator Appointment Number: (031-219-7253

    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:

    • Area: Seoul
    • International Clinic Contact: +82-2-2072-0505
    • Email: intlclinic@snu.ac.kr
    • Website: SNUH International Health Care Center
    • Address: 서울특별시 종로구 대학로 101 (서울대학교병원), 03080

    아산병원 (Asan Medical Center)

    삼성서울병원 (Samsung Medical Center)

    연세대학교 세브란스병원 (Yonsei University Severance Hospital)

    고려대학교병원 (Korea University Anam Hospital

    부산대학교병원 (Pusan National University Hospital)

    • Area: Busan
    • International Clinic Contact: +82-51-240-7890
    • Website: Pusan National University Hospital
    • Address: 부산광역시 서구 구덕로 179 (부산대학교병원), 49241

    경북대학교병원 (Kyungpook National University Hospital)

    전남대학교병원 (Chonnam National University Hospital)

    • Area: Gwangju
    • International Clinic Contact: +82-62-220-5027
    • Website: Chonnam National University Hospital
    • Address: 광주광역시 동구 제봉로 42 (전남대학교병원), 61469

    충남대학교병원 (Chungnam National University Hospital)

    울산대학교병원 (Ulsan University Hospital)

    • Area: Ulson
    • International Clinic Contact: +82-52-250-8000
    • Website: Ulsan University Hospital
    • Address: 울산광역시 동구 방어진순환도로 877 (울산대학교병원), 44033

    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.

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