Pharmacists Divided in Two Over Public Mask Policy

End of Public Mask Sales at Pharmacies This Month
Extension Notice Debate: "Should Continue" VS "Should Stop"

On the first day of the abolition of the public mask purchase 5-day rotation system on the 1st, citizens are buying masks at a pharmacy street in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that due to the improved mask supply situation, from today anyone can purchase public masks at pharmacies nationwide on any desired day. Those aged 19 and over can purchase 3 masks per person as before, while elementary, middle, and high school students and kindergarteners aged 18 and under can purchase up to 5 masks. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the public mask system is scheduled to end at the end of this month, the Korea Pharmaceutical Association appears divided over whether to extend it. The enforcement period of the 'Emergency Supply Adjustment Measures for Masks and Hand Sanitizers' established due to the mask crisis is until the 30th of this month.

An official from the Pharmaceutical Association stated on the 11th, "After gathering members' opinions, half believe that the supply of public masks at pharmacies should be stopped, while the other half do not demand a halt."

Those demanding a stop cite the reason that since the 'Mask Measures' were announced last March, they have been dealing with public complaints related to masks on the front lines, leading to a sharp increase in work fatigue. The association official revealed, "At first, complaints were about 'Why can we only buy two?' or 'Individually packaged masks are unhygienic,' but recently, there have been many cases where pharmacists are insulted for why certain brands of masks are not available."

Those who do not demand a stop believe that an extension is necessary to prepare for a second wave in autumn. Especially as confirmed cases are rapidly increasing mainly in the metropolitan area, they believe pharmacists must endure this. The association official said, "It is also true that pharmacists take pride in handling public masks," adding, "Those who do not demand a stop believe that despite the difficulties, they must fulfill their social role."

The government is also aware that the Pharmaceutical Association is split evenly over whether to extend the notice. Yang Jin-young, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, "Since this matter involves several ministries such as the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Public Procurement Service, coordination of opinions is necessary," and added, "Discussions will continue until the end of this month."

Some speculate that the supply of public masks at pharmacies may be stopped after the 30th. This is based on the expectation that the opinions of pharmacists expressing fatigue will be strongly reflected. However, the Pharmaceutical Association maintains that since the government started the supply of public masks, the decision to end it also lies with the government.

Earlier, Chairman Kim Dae-up of the Pharmaceutical Association stated at the end of last month, "We are considering ending the supply of public masks," but just a week later, on the 1st, the association stepped back, saying, "The primary decision regarding the end of the notice will be made by the government." An official from the association mentioned, "Among some pharmacists, there is a forecast that the supply of public masks will be stopped after the expiration date of the notice on the 30th of this month, but it depends on the government's decision."

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