Health Information If you are not fluent in Korean, it is best to go with a Korean friend who can help you with translation when you go to a hospital. Medical insurance cards are not recognized as a form of prepayment. New legislation that prevents doctors from filling pharmaceutical prescriptions went into effect on July 1, 2000. Moreover, pharmacies can no longer sell many medicines without a doctor's prescription, as they once did. For relatively serious illnesses, you must first visit the doctor, who will prescribe medicine. In addition to hospitals that offer the same medical treatments as used in the West, there are hospitals specializing in Oriental Medicine. There are also dental clinics, among many others. While hospitals can freely set their own business hours, most of them are open from Monday through Saturday, and are closed on Sundays and national holidays.   Public Health Centers Pharmacies Pharmacies in Pyeongchang are easy to spot. Just look for a'¾à'or '¾à±¹'sign. You can buy some medicine with a doctor's prescription, and some are over-the-counter. You must let your doctor know any allergies that you might have. 222