Hwaseong City Cracks Down on Hoarding of Medical Supplies... Intensified Inspections on Syringe and Needle Distribution

Blocking Excessive Stockpiling and Refusal to Sell for Profiteering

Following the Enforcement of the "Notice on the Prohibition of Hoarding"

Four District Public Health Centers Collaborate

Strengthening Guidance on the Notice and Transparent Inventory Management for Distributors

Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province is strengthening distribution inspections to prevent the hoarding of medical supplies, responding to recent concerns over unstable syringe supply in medical settings.

Aerial view of Hwaseong Special City Hall. Provided by Hwaseong City

This measure is being implemented in accordance with the “Notice on the Prohibition of Hoarding and Cornering of Syringes and Needles,” which took effect on April 14, 2026. The aim is to prevent excessive stockpiling or refusal to sell for profiteering purposes, thereby ensuring the smooth supply of syringes and needles and establishing a fair distribution order.

Accordingly, the city’s four district public health centers plan to strengthen guidance and public awareness for major distributors and distribution stakeholders regarding the notice. They will focus on documentation including sales by authorization, certification, and notification number; daily sales volume; and inventory for both the previous and current days for various syringes (general, dental, filter, insulin, etc.) and needles.

Additionally, among the 1,853 medical device retail businesses in the city, inspections will be intensified for those handling essential medical products such as syringes to monitor for hoarding activities. If sales volumes exceeding the standards set by the notice or refusals to sell are identified, the city will respond strictly through on-site inspections and administrative guidance.

Yoon Sungjin, Acting Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, stated, “Syringes and needles are essential medical supplies for patient care, and their stable supply is extremely important. We will establish order in distribution and focus on stabilizing supply and demand so that neither citizens nor medical institutions experience inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, this prohibition on hoarding is a temporary measure in effect until June 30, 2026. The city will continue to monitor the supply situation and cooperate with related agencies to take necessary actions as needed.

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