YMYD CEO Jeongrae Cho (third from left) and Seoul Pharmaceutical Association President Wihak Kim (third from right) take a commemorative photo after signing the MOU | Photo provided by YMYD
AI-based medication management solution startup YMYD (Yak Mun Yak Dap, CEO Jeongrae Cho) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Seoul Pharmaceutical Association (President Wihak Kim) to accelerate its nationwide expansion into the pharmacy market. This follows its earlier agreement with the Gyeonggi Pharmaceutical Association in July. The Seoul and Gyeonggi regions together account for roughly half of Korea’s 25,000 pharmacies, making them a key target market.
Through this partnership, YMYD has secured an official channel to supply its AI-based medication management service “PhAI” to pharmacies across the two regions.
PhAI is Korea’s first solution to apply generative AI throughout the entire medication management process. Unlike conventional rule-based programs, it integrates prescription review, generation of medication guidance documents, and patient medication monitoring. Its core feature is the polypharmacy review function for elderly patients taking more than 10 medications simultaneously. The system reportedly reduces a pharmacist’s average review time from over two hours to less than five minutes. YMYD has also conducted joint research with the Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory at Seoul National University’s College of Pharmacy to verify and enhance the AI’s performance, with active participation from practicing pharmacists to ensure practical usability.
Currently, more than 100 pharmacies use PhAI on a paid basis, and YMYD aims to expand adoption to over 10,000 pharmacies within 3 years. As the only generative AI-based medication management service in Korea, it is expected to gain a strong first-mover advantage in the market.
Pharmacists in the field have reported positive outcomes in counseling efficiency and patient satisfaction. One pharmacist said, “Providing medication management consultations gives me a great sense of fulfillment as a pharmacist,” adding, “Once PhAI becomes more widespread, pharmacists will be able to perform their role as medication management experts effectively.” This reflects that the value of the service lies not only in saving time but also in strengthening the delivery of professional expertise.
The industry is closely watching this partnership as the Integrated Care Act is set to take effect in March 2026. Once enacted, pharmacies are expected to expand their functions beyond dispensing to focus more on patient-centered counseling. With an aging population, demand for home-based care and polypharmacy management is expected to grow significantly. In the U.S. and Japan, pharmacist medication management services are already reimbursed, suggesting that similar systems could be introduced in Korea.
YMYD CEO Jeongrae Cho said, “When pharmacists’ field experience combines with technological expertise, truly helpful solutions for patients can be created. We will continue to develop PhAI to ensure it genuinely supports pharmacists in their medication management work.”
Seoul Pharmaceutical Association President Wihak Kim added, “AI-powered pharmaceutical care services will become a driving force for providing better integrated care to local communities. AI is not a replacement for pharmacists—it is a tool that enhances their expertise by improving the accuracy and efficiency of medication reviews.”
Through this agreement, YMYD and the Seoul and Gyeonggi Pharmaceutical Associations plan to jointly pursue several initiatives, including the introduction and advancement of an AI system to support visiting and consulting pharmacists, the development of IT solutions for integrated care environments, and research on successful medication management cases and cost-effectiveness evaluation.
