Korean Pharmaceutical Association Holds Rally Opposing 'Medicine Vending Machines'... "Discussions Must Stop"

Members of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association are holding placards and shouting slogans at the pharmacists' rally to stop the drug vending machines held in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The pharmacist community has taken collective action, strongly opposing the government's plan to introduce medicine vending machines.

The Korea Pharmaceutical Association held a pharmacist rally on the 19th in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, urging the government to halt related discussions.

According to the Pharmaceutical Association, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to submit the medicine vending machine as a demonstration exemption agenda to the ICT Regulatory Sandbox Deliberation Committee on the 20th. The medicine vending machine is a device that allows consumers to purchase over-the-counter drugs after non-face-to-face consultation with a pharmacist during hours when pharmacies are closed, such as late at night or on holidays.

The Pharmaceutical Association declared it would make every effort to block the introduction of medicine vending machines. Prior to the rally, they began outdoor protests starting with one-person demonstrations for three days from the 15th to the 17th in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office and the Sejong Government Complex.

Choi Kwang-hoon, president of the Korea Pharmaceutical Association, stated, "Medicine vending machines are merely a means for certain companies to generate profits," adding, "Pharmacies already operate late into the evening in neighborhoods, and there is also the alternative of public late-night pharmacies." He further noted, "Convenience in purchasing medicines during late hours cannot be resolved with just a few medicines in vending machines," and emphasized, "We need to create an environment where people can safely buy a wider range of medicines while consulting with pharmacists at pharmacies."

The Pharmaceutical Association expressed great concern about policies related to public safety and health being approached with simple industrial logic and announced that it will continuously demand the government to establish health care policies based on the public's right to health.

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