Redesigning the Role of Pharmacies

As the center of the obesity management market shifts from conventional weight-loss aid products to services that support continued treatment, the role of pharmacies is also changing. In particular, as the use of GLP-1 class obesity medications increases, follow-up support such as managing medication adherence, counseling on gastrointestinal side effects, and providing guidance on nutritional supplementation is emerging as a key source of pharmacy competitiveness.

This change is not merely about a shift in trendy product categories; it is a sign that obesity is beginning to be more clearly treated as a disease requiring long-term management. Accordingly, it is becoming increasingly important to arrange displays with items that are actually needed during treatment—such as protein, hydration support, and constipation management—rather than focusing on low-calorie or appetite-suppressant-centered displays.

The Revenue Structure of Traditional Korean Medicine Hospitals Is Shaking

University-affiliated traditional Korean medicine hospitals have entered a stage where it is difficult to maintain their existing operating model, as dispersed patient demand and worsening management conditions overlap. In fact, four out of seven institutions that disclosed their current net profit and loss recorded deficits, and some institutions are once again seeking external revenue sources such as herbal decoction businesses, following bed reductions or integration.

Meanwhile, on the industry side, new solutions emphasizing automation and standardization are emerging. A case in which a company that developed an AI-based herbal medicine manufacturing system secured 6.2 billion won in Series A investment shows that, even in the traditional medicine sector, productivity and quality control capabilities—rather than clinical care itself—are increasingly becoming the criteria by which capital and the market evaluate businesses.

Traditional Korean Medicine Evaluation Standards Shift Toward Evidence and Control

In automobile insurance treatment, both the judiciary and the system are applying stricter standards at the same time in response to controversies surrounding overtreatment in traditional Korean medicine. Courts have ruled on repayment in cases such as one involving 41 days of hospitalization and 96 outpatient treatments after a minor accident, and from the 10th of next month, separate review procedures for long-term treatment of patients with minor injuries will also be strengthened.

Conversely, research aimed at systematically accumulating safety evidence in actual clinical settings is also continuing. As data builds up—such as a herbal medicine safety study that tracked 186 postpartum women and evaluated side effects according to international standards—it appears likely that demands will grow for traditional Korean medicine to secure trust through clinical evidence in an area separate from controversies over billing and reimbursement.

Consumer Touchpoints Expanding From Treatment to Tourism and Experience

Traditional Korean medicine and wellness are moving beyond meeting consumers solely through in-hospital treatment and are expanding touchpoints through experiences and tourism. The Seoul K-Medi Center reported that the number of visitors to the center from January to June this year reached 97,008, while Japan’s Tokushima Prefecture has also launched stay-type offerings that combine health screenings with art and relaxation under the banner of medical art and wellness tourism.

This trend can be seen as a move to reposition health services not only as a medical necessity but also as part of cultural experiences and regional economic strategy. However, if rising visitor numbers and diversified offerings are not to remain merely a matter of temporary interest, the next step must be to design not only the appeal of the experience but also safety, professionalism, and follow-up linkages together.