[단독] 약국 찾아 2시간을 차로…‘공공심야약국’ 강원도에는 단 6곳

In a remote corner of Gangwon Province, a lone pharmacist named Kim G has been toiling to find a private pharmacy open late into the night. This is no easy task, as Kim explains, "Finding a pharmacy open late in these areas can be extremely difficult." Gangwon Province is home to just six such pharmacies, including Kim's own, which operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with a two-hour break where it closes at 10 p.m. and reopens at 1 a.m. the next day.

Kim's daily grind is akin to a solitary quest, as he has no support in finding additional pharmacists willing to brave the night shift. Even with subsidies, Kim's pharmacy cannot sustain the higher operating costs of night shifts. Despite government efforts to establish such pharmacies nationwide, only around 200 exist out of a total of 240, with more pronounced disparities between regions.

Gangwon Province, home to 10 medically vulnerable areas, stands out with only six such pharmacies. The government currently offers a meager subsidy of 40,000-60,000 won per night for these pharmacies, which often forces pharmacies to operate around the clock with a single pharmacist working 14-hour days. Experts argue that a more robust government commitment and support is needed to expand the availability of pharmacies open late into the night.