'Won't Check the Receipt?'... Pharmacist Selling a Mask for 50,000 Won

Pharmacist in 40s Sentenced to 1 Year Imprisonment, 2 Years Probation
Court: "Undermined Trust in Pharmacists"

The court sentenced a pharmacist in his 40s to a suspended prison term after controversy arose over selling a single mask for 50,000 won and refusing to issue a refund.

The Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 5 (Judge Kim Jeongheon) sentenced A (44), who was indicted on charges including fraud, special intimidation, assault, and violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension, Yonhap News reported on the 24th.

A is accused of pocketing a price difference worth approximately 1,248,000 won over 25 transactions by selling painkillers, a single mask, bandages, and other medicines at 50,000 won each, which was more expensive than the market price, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

It was investigated that he took advantage of the fact that customers often paid without asking the price when purchasing medicines.

However, his misconduct became known after a customer posted a complaint saying that after buying three bottles of hangover relief drinks and paying 150,000 won, the customer requested a refund but was refused.

He was also indicted on charges of assaulting the victim who demanded a refund over two months starting from November last year, but considering that he reached a settlement with the victims, the assault charge, which is a non-prosecutable offense upon victim's withdrawal, was dismissed.

The court explained the sentencing by saying, "This case caused social unrest and lowered trust in pharmacists as a whole," adding, "However, considering that there was no prior record exceeding a fine, that he received inpatient treatment at a psychiatric hospital, and that he closed his pharmacy."

A notice regarding mask-wearing upon entry is posted at a pharmacy in Seoul. (This photo is not directly related to the article.)
Photo by Asia Economy DB

A stated, "I admit all charges and deeply regret my mistakes," but claimed diminished mental capacity due to bipolar affective disorder. However, the court rejected A's claim, judging that the crimes were committed over a long period and that A had the ability to distinguish things and make decisions.

Earlier, at a meeting of the Pharmacist Ethics Committee, A explained, "I set the price at 50,000 won to reduce the misuse and abuse of medicines. I did exactly as I learned from large corporations to expose their tyranny," but ultimately closed the pharmacy.

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