"Only Buy Necessary Amount of Cold Medicine... 3 to 5 Days Recommended"

Korean Pharmaceutical Association Campaign Launch

Kwanghoon Choi, President of the Korea Pharmaceutical Association (center), is conducting an information campaign on the morning of the 31st around pharmacies in Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, to stabilize the supply of cold medicine. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Amid concerns over a shortage of cold medicine due to the COVID-19 outbreak in China, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association has launched a campaign urging people to purchase only the necessary amount of cold medicine.

On the morning of the 31st, Kwang-hoon Choi, president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, Kwon Oh-sang, deputy director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and other association and government officials visited pharmacies in the Jung-gu and Jongno-gu areas of Seoul for about two hours to carry out the campaign.

The notice distributed by the association to pharmacies stated, "For respiratory-related medicines such as cold medicine (over-the-counter drugs), a purchase of 3 to a maximum of 5 days' supply is recommended." It also urged consumers to consult with pharmacists before taking medication and to avoid purchasing more medicine than necessary for safe use.

President Choi said, "There have been media reports that some foreign tourists, amid the recent severe infection situation, are hoarding medicines. In such circumstances, the role of pharmacies is crucial." He added, "We know that most pharmacies are making efforts to ensure that the public does not face difficulties in purchasing cold medicine. We ask association members to provide sufficient consultation and sell an appropriate amount to prevent any inconvenience to the public caused by recent hoarding."

Earlier, the association stated that it would "take strict disciplinary action without tolerance, regardless of the reason," against the mass sale of cold medicine. Pharmacist members who engage in abnormal medicine sales will be subject to disciplinary action by the association's Ethics Committee and reported to relevant authorities. The association also urged thorough pharmacy management through notices to all members and official letters.

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