From the 15th, self-test kits priced at 6,000 won each... effective until March 5

Price Designation Limited to Individual Sales of Bulk Packaging Units

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] Starting from the 15th, the price per unit of COVID-19 self-test kits sold individually at pharmacies and convenience stores will be set at 6,000 KRW.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 14th that when COVID-19 self-test kits supplied in bulk packaging are sold individually at pharmacies and convenience stores, the price per unit will be temporarily set at 6,000 KRW. The implementation period is from the 15th of this month to the 5th of next month.

This measure applies only to products supplied to pharmacies and convenience stores in bulk packaging units (20 or more) and sold individually as of the 13th. Products supplied by manufacturers in small packages of 1, 2, or 5 units are not subject to this designated sales price.

The Minister of Food and Drug Safety signed an agreement on the same day with representatives of seven convenience store chains (Ministop, 7-Eleven, Storyway, Emart24, C Space, CU, GS25) to stabilize distribution and pricing, agreeing to do their best to support the supply of self-test kits. The ministry also requested the Korean Pharmaceutical Association to cooperate in ensuring that pharmacies comply with the designated sales price.

Individually sold self-test kits from bulk packaging are expected to be available at about 50,000 pharmacy and franchise stores of the seven convenience store chains. At around 30,000 CU and GS25 stores, the kits will be available nationwide starting around the 16th. Ministop and 7-Eleven’s approximately 13,000 stores will also begin selling self-test kits nationwide from the 17th. Other convenience stores are expected to require about an additional week for preparation.

A Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official stated, "The designated price may change in the future depending on the monitoring results of the implementation status," and added, "We will do our best to stabilize the supply and distribution market of self-test kits."

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