[Report] Visiting Pharmacies Using the 'Mask App'... Confusion Due to Duplicate Purchase Verification System Errors

On the first day of mask data release,

the queue in front of pharmacies shortened, but

mask supply remains insufficient

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] On the first day the government opened public mask data, the long lines in front of pharmacies shortened. However, due to errors in the public mask duplicate purchase verification system and shortages of masks by size, the sales sites are still experiencing confusion.

At 11:40 a.m. on the 11th near Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, I launched the 'Goodoc' application (app), which shows real-time mask inventory inside pharmacies. This app displays mask inventory by color. Nearby pharmacies showed mixed indicators: gray (sold out), red (2 to 29 or fewer in stock), and green (100 or more). I headed to Pharmacy A, the closest one showing a green light.

The 'Goodoc' application screen showing the real-time mask inventory of each pharmacy

This pharmacy was a place where, before the '5-day mask rotation system' (a system that designates purchase days based on the last digit of birth year) was implemented on the 8th, long queues extended outside the pharmacy. There were even disputes between pharmacy staff and customers over the order of mask sales. However, the front of the pharmacy visited that day was quiet. Inside, 4 to 5 customers were waiting to purchase masks.

Pharmacist B, affiliated with this pharmacy, said, "The queue for purchasing masks has shortened," but added, "Due to errors in the duplicate purchase verification system, we cannot confirm duplicate purchases, so we are manually recording buyers." According to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and others, additional system access by some post office branches approved that morning caused server overload. Errors such as frontline pharmacies being unable to access the public mask duplicate purchase verification system have appeared.

On the 8th, before the implementation of the mask 5-day rotation system, a long queue formed in front of Pharmacy A waiting to purchase masks.

The pharmacist said, "Small and medium sizes remain, but large masks, which adults mostly use, are quickly running out of stock," and added, "Because the app does not show inventory separated by small, medium, and large sizes, many people who come looking for large masks end up leaving empty-handed." The reporter also needed large masks but purchased two medium masks due to lack of stock.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.