[2025 Audit] "Advertisements by Warehouse-Style Pharmacies Misleading Consumers Will Be Banned"

Minister Chung Eun-kyung to Analyze Impact on Pharmaceutical Distribution Market and Prepare Countermeasures

The government has decided to analyze the potential impact on the market and devise countermeasures in response to concerns that the increasing number of warehouse-style large pharmacies could lead to the misuse of pharmaceuticals and disrupt the order of drug distribution. Authorities are also considering measures to ban advertisements by large pharmacies that could mislead consumers.

On the 15th, at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit, Jeong Eun-kyung, Minister of Health and Welfare, is listening to a question from Jang Jong-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Screenshot from National Assembly Broadcasting

On October 15, Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung stated at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit, "I agree with the concerns that warehouse-style pharmacies are threatening the survival of local pharmacies," adding, "It is necessary to thoroughly analyze how these pharmacies will affect the order of distribution and the overall pharmaceutical market, and to prepare appropriate countermeasures."

On this day, Jang Jong-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out, "Recently, there has been a surge in the opening of warehouse-style large pharmacies, but the current Pharmaceutical Affairs Act contains no specific regulations regarding large pharmacies. If, as seen in overseas cases, large capital enters the pharmaceutical distribution market, neighborhood pharmacies may be forced to close, and if 'pharmacy deserts' emerge, the damage will ultimately fall on people living in medically underserved areas."

In response, Minister Jeong said, "Although warehouse-style large pharmacies are still in the early stages, it is necessary to closely analyze how they will affect the order of distribution and the overall pharmaceutical market, and to prepare countermeasures. As for how to establish a system, we will gather more opinions, conduct further research, and review overseas cases to develop a plan."

Minister Jeong further explained, "In the short term, we are preparing to revise the enforcement regulations to prohibit advertisements that could unnecessarily mislead consumers, such as those using phrases like 'best,' 'largest,' or 'mart-style special price.'"

According to Assemblyman Jang, four warehouse-style large pharmacies, each over 330 square meters, have opened nationwide this year. In the United States, two-thirds of all pharmacies currently belong to large chain pharmacies or supermarkets, and over the past decade, 38.9% of independent pharmacies have closed.

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