Government moves to formally expand product categories for the first time in 14 years
Anti-diarrheal and antacid drugs under discussion… safety controversy reignites
Over-the-counter medicines sold at a convenience store in 2020
The government is moving to expand the range of "safe over-the-counter medicines" sold at convenience stores, a category that has long been capped at 13 items or fewer.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to formally discuss expanding the number of over-the-counter medicines available at convenience stores from the current 11 items to a maximum of 20, and to broaden the range of retail outlets, taking into account areas without pharmacies, in the second half of this year.
However, pharmacist associations — which have previously opposed expanding convenience store medicine categories — are maintaining their position that such a move is unacceptable, leaving the outcome uncertain.
◇ OTC medicines include fever reducers, analgesics, and digestive aids… 55.5 billion won in supply in 2024
The convenience store over-the-counter medicine system was introduced in November 2012 to address the difficulty of purchasing medicines on public holidays or late at night when pharmacies are closed.
The items covered are general medicines that patients can use on their own for mild symptoms.
The Pharmaceutical Affairs Act requires the Minister of Health and Welfare to designate convenience store OTC medicines within a limit of 20 items, taking into account ingredients, side effects, dosage, formulation, brand recognition, and convenience.
Currently, a total of 13 types of medicines are permitted for sale at convenience stores.
Specifically, these include 5 types of fever reducers and analgesics including "Tylenol 500mg tablets," 4 types of digestive aids such as "Bearse tablets" and "Festal Gold tablets," 2 types of cold medicines such as "Pankol A oral liquid" and "Panpirin-T tablets," and 2 types of medicated patches such as "Jaeil Cool Pap" and "Shinsin Pas Arex."
However, "Tylenol 160mg tablets" and "Children's Tylenol 80mg tablets" among the fever reducers have been discontinued, so the number of medicines actually available for purchase is 11.
Most convenience store OTC medicines contain only a single day's dosage. Some differ slightly in composition from the medicines sold at pharmacies.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the total supply value of convenience store OTC medicines in 2024 was 55.5 billion won.
Among these, Tylenol 500mg tablets accounted for the largest share at 21.8 billion won, followed by Pankol A oral liquid at 16.2 billion won.
◇ Expansion would improve consumer convenience… pharmaceutical companies not opposed
Discussions about expanding convenience store OTC medicines have taken place in the past as well.
The Designated Review Committee for Safe Over-the-Counter Medicines discussed adding anti-diarrheal drugs, which relieve diarrhea symptoms, and antacids, which reduce stomach acid, to convenience store OTC medicines from 2017 through the following year.
However, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association held a rally and strongly opposed the move, causing negotiations to stall, and ultimately no conclusion was reached.
The government's renewed push to adjust convenience store OTC medicine categories appears to be driven by the reality that 2 of the 13 items have already been discontinued, as well as a judgment that the system has proven its value.
A 2019 survey of 1,000 adults conducted by the Korea Institute of Drug Policy and Research found that 68.9% of respondents reported having purchased convenience store OTC medicines within the past year.
Jung, a mother raising two young children, said, "I once bought children's fever reducer at a convenience store while out on a trip," adding, "It would be nice if more OTC medicine categories were added."
Pharmaceutical companies generally do not oppose improvements to the convenience store OTC medicine system, as it expands the channels through which they can sell their products, but they are not speaking out actively out of consideration for their relationships with pharmacists.
A pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul
◇ Pharmacists' Association: "Safety is paramount for medicines… concerns over misuse and abuse"
The Korean Pharmaceutical Association and the broader pharmacist community continue to strongly oppose expanding the range of convenience store OTC medicines.
A representative of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association said in a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 21st, "This is not about pharmacists protecting their turf," adding, "The share of convenience store OTC medicines in total general medicine sales is by no means large."
The representative noted, "All medicines have side effects, and medicines must have both safety and efficacy," and pointed out, "Discussions on expanding convenience store OTC medicines are centered on convenience rather than safety."
The pharmacists' association emphasizes that before expanding convenience store OTC medicines, it is necessary to examine the current system, which is being operated inadequately.
To sell OTC medicines at a convenience store, sales staff must complete four hours of training in advance, and a system must be in place to block the sale of dangerous medicines.
There are also regulations requiring that medicines be displayed separately from general consumer goods and food, and that usage precautions be posted.
A representative of the pharmacists' association argued that the training system needs to be strengthened, saying, "Even pharmacists must receive annual training to sell health functional foods, but when selling medicines at convenience stores, training is only required once and is mostly limited to store owners."
The representative also expressed concern that if the number of medicines sold at convenience stores increases, misuse and abuse of medicines may not improve, noting, "There are research findings showing that the risk of acetaminophen poisoning — the active ingredient in Tylenol — has increased since convenience stores began selling medicines."
psh59@yna.co.kr
