Persistent Difficulty in Purchasing Self-Test Kits Despite '6000 Won Limit'

Starting from the 15th, the 'Bulk Repackaging Sale 6000 Won' System Implemented
Not Applicable to Existing Small-Packaged Products

On the 15th, a notice stating that there is no stock of self-test kits was posted at a convenience store in Guro-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Lee Chunhee

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] "People keep asking if they will come in starting today, but we don't know for sure either," (Convenience store owner Mr. A)

"This is not a product sold in small quantities, so we are selling two for 15,000 won." (Pharmacist Mr. B)

On the morning of the 15th, confusion continued around COVID-19 self-test kits at pharmacies and convenience stores across Seoul. While it was possible to obtain self-test kits with some effort, it was difficult to find places selling them at the government-set price of 6,000 won to stabilize prices.

After visiting about ten pharmacies and convenience stores in Guro-gu and Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day, there were significant differences in the supply of self-test kits depending on the pharmacy. Some pharmacies had zero stock, some only sold existing small-packaged products (1, 2, or 5 units), and others sold subdivided products. Each pharmacy showed various sales forms depending on their supply situation. This was an improvement compared to a few days ago when it was very difficult to find stock at pharmacies.

However, pharmacies selling small-pack units were all selling at prices 1,000 to 2,000 won higher per unit than the consumer price. Especially with prices higher than 6,000 won, some citizens hesitated to purchase even after searching for stock. Pharmacies selling bulk-packaged products divided them into packs of five units, which is the maximum purchase quantity per person. This is similar to the packaging and sales method during the 2020 'public mask' system, which limited purchases to two per person. If sales continue only in this way, it could create difficulties for consumers who want to buy small quantities.

On the 13th, a notice regarding the purchase of COVID-19 self-test kits was posted at Yuseong Pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. According to distribution improvement measures, online sales of self-test kits are prohibited from this day until March 5, and the quantity that individuals can purchase at pharmacies and convenience stores is limited to five kits per transaction. However, there is no restriction on purchasing multiple times a day, and online stock can be sold until the 16th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

It was impossible to find any at convenience stores. As of 10 a.m. that day, checking the quantity of self-test kits at about 150 CU convenience stores in Guro-gu and Gangdong-gu through CU's 'Pocket CU' application showed no stores with remaining stock. At the stores actually visited, all had notices on the entrance doors stating 'No self-test kits' or responses saying 'They have not arrived yet.'

Convenience store owner Mr. A said, "We haven't had proper kits for several days," and added, "Some customers ask if they will come in starting today after seeing the news, but we have not received any exact information yet."

According to the convenience store industry, subdivided sales of self-test kits at major convenience stores are expected to be possible at the earliest by the afternoon of the same day. CU plans to deliver 1 million Rapigen products to about 15,800 stores nationwide during the morning. GS25 and 7-Eleven have also secured self-test kits and plan to distribute stock to their stores nationwide.

Online shopping malls, where new stock sales have been suspended and stock sales will be suspended from the 16th, are not difficult to purchase from but are being sold at significantly increased prices. While the regular price is generally considered to be about 8,000 won per test, single-pack products were being sold for over 15,000 won online. Bulk 20-test packs were being sold at prices around 150,000 to 250,000 won, much higher than the government-set price of 120,000 won. Products at reasonable prices have already been sold out, leaving only high-priced products from some companies aiming for speculative profits.

COVID-19 antigen self-test kits are being produced at Rapigen in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, controversy continues over the government-set price of 6,000 won. Before the shortage began, kits could be found for 3,000 to 4,000 won each, so some argue that setting a higher price is unreasonable. In fact, Rapigen sold 20-test packs for 80,000 won on its own online mall, which is about 4,000 won per test.

During the public mask system earlier, there was also controversy when KF masks, which could be purchased for about 500 won each before the COVID-19 outbreak, were set at a much higher price of 1,500 won.

However, the government explained that it considered recent price trends. A Food and Drug Safety Ministry official said, "The average pharmacy sales price over the past week was 7,000 to 8,000 won, and online prices exceeded 10,000 won," adding, "The designated price was set lower than recent prices." The ministry also noted that the designated price could change in the future based on monitoring results of the implementation situation.

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