[On-site Video] "Because of Hoarding... It Can't Be Helped" Restriction on Online Sales of Self-Test Kits

Government: "Effective to respond to private demand by selling mainly through pharmacies and convenience stores"

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Yoon Jin-geun] "It can be inconvenient if you can't buy it online, but it can't be helped."

As the daily number of COVID-19 confirmed cases exceeded 50,000, causing a shortage of self-diagnosis kits and price increases leading to market confusion, the government plans to ban online sales starting from the 13th. Similar to when masks were sold, there will also be restrictions on sales prices and purchase quantities at pharmacies and convenience stores.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 11th, "We will supply rapid antigen test kits sufficiently and stably," and added, "We are also considering introducing a maximum price system for the kits." This indicates the government's intention to ensure stable supply of self-diagnosis kits and directly control prices at levels lower than the market price.

On the same day, pharmacists and citizens met around Myeongdong and Chungmuro in Jung-gu, Seoul, expressed expectations that the so-called 'hoarding,' where many kits are purchased at once, might decrease due to the ban on online sales of self-diagnosis kits. However, among pharmacists, there were concerns about potential work overload similar to when masks were sold in the past.

Office worker Jeong (27) said, "From the perspective of someone working at a company, it could be inconvenient if self-diagnosis kits are sold only offline without online sales." He added, "However, if a price ceiling is set, it seems good for preventing reselling."

University student Lee (24) said, "I think it's okay to sell (self-diagnosis kits) online," and added, "People with (COVID-19) symptoms might reduce harm to others by purchasing and testing at home."

Among pharmacists, complaints continued that they might not be able to do other work due to self-diagnosis kit sales. Pharmacist A said, "We are overwhelmed with kit sales," and added, "Because government policies change abruptly, pharmacists are also confused."

Another pharmacist in his 40s, B, expressed about the 'shortage phenomenon,' "If left to the market, it will naturally resolve," and lamented, "I wish the government wouldn't make such sudden policy decisions and announcements."

Pharmacist C in his 30s said, "Even now, the supply of self-diagnosis kits is not going well, and it feels frustrating because there seems to be no concrete plan on what to do."

Meanwhile, self-diagnosis kits will not be allowed to be sold online starting from the 13th. Although this measure takes effect from the 13th, online sellers can sell existing stock until the 16th. Sales will be completely banned from the 17th.

Lee Nam-hee, Director of the Medical Device Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said at a Disease Control Agency back briefing on the 11th, "The online sales ban is not due to a shortage of products but aims to simplify distribution channels and distribute to places with secured accessibility," and explained, "We judged that it is effective to respond promptly to private demand by focusing sales on pharmacies and convenience stores where immediate purchase is possible until prices stabilize."

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