Study: Wealthy Spend More on Medicine

Statistics showed that the rich spend more on medicine.

Jung-gu in Daegu spent on medicine the most in the country – an average of 947,400 won per person annually. The reason seems that the district has as many as 123 pharmacies with just a population of 80,000.

In Seoul, Jongno-gu ranked first (663,100 won), followed by Jung-gu (440,200). Gangnam-gu came in third (272,400) and Yeongdeungpo (254,200) and Dongdaemun (232,200) followed it. The four districts except Gangnam are thought to put much money into pharmaceuticals because they have many large pharmacies and commercial complexes.

A resident in Seocho-gu (182,800) and Songpa-gu (183,400) turned out to spend more than the Seoul average of 171,200 won, showing that the higher people’s standard of living is, the more they spent on medicine. Meanwhile, people in Gangseo, Geumcheon, Jungrang and Gwanak bought just 100,000 won worth of drugs a year, and those in Gwangjin, Mapo, Eunpyeong, Yangcheon and Gangbuk spent 120,000 won, falling far short of the average of Seoul. Nowon, Seongbuk and Guro were in the range of 150,000 won, and Gangdong, Seongdong and Dongjak in the 160,000 won level.

Seoul had the highest medicine expense per person among 16 major cities and provinces. Busan came in second with 167,200 won, with Gwangju (163,500) and Daegu (162,900) third and fourth respectively. North Jeolla (160,900) was placed at fifth, ranking first among provinces. It was followed by Daejeon (157,600), Jeju (142,900), Gangwon (141,200), South Jeolla (134,200), South Chungcheong (133,400), North Chungcheong (127,800), North Gyeonsang (127,200), Gyeonggi (126,700), Incheon (125,900), South Gyeongsang(120,000) and Ulsan (119,700).