What is the difference between a medicine, a quasi-drug and a health functional food in Korea?
Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety sorts pharmacy products into three groups. Medicines (의약품) have approved indications and fixed dosage. Quasi-drugs (의약외품) are mild-action products such as some acne patches, toothpastes and sanitary items. Health functional foods (건강기능식품) are supplements with approved functional ingredients; they are foods, not treatments for disease.