By Kim Tae-jong
The Ministry of Health and Welfare — under fire for its decision to drop a plan to allow the sale of non-prescription drugs at places other than pharmacies — is moving to find a way to revive the near-dead scheme.
“We’re now considering pushing forward a bill to revise the Pharmacist Law during the forthcoming regular session of the National Assembly to allow the sale of non-prescription drugs outside pharmacies,” Health and Welfare Minister Jin Soo-hee told reporters on Friday.
Its shift in stance on the sensitive issue came after President Lee Myung-bak reportedly scolded the health minister for the decision not to revise the law banning the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Jin also expressed her hope that related interest groups of pharmacists and doctors should first consider a way to cut the inconvenience of customers in the discussion of the revision of related policies and law to allow the sale of non-prescription drugs at supermarkets.
Her remark came as the revision of the Pharmacist Law is inevitable.
“Technically, it’s impossible to allow the sale of non-prescription drugs outside pharmacies under the current law,” said Yang Sung-il, a spokesman at the health ministry. “We’re now seeking a way to do that, which of course involves the revision of related laws and opposition from pharmacists.”
In a revised law, the ministry plans to create a new category of “household medicine,” which can include cold medicines, painkillers and antiseptic lotions, he said.
The controversial issue was originally brought up by President Lee early this year as he asked Health Minister Jin to review it at a briefing.
Civic groups have criticized the ministry for improper handling of the matter as it has shown a directionless stance, and was swayed easily by various interest groups without making any progress.
Ordinary citizens are also unhappy with the ministry’s decision, as they have long expected a solution to resolve the inconvenience when pharmacies are closed at night and during holidays.
“It’s so disappointing to see how the ministry has worked on this matter. The ministry is incapable of handling the issue properly,” said Cho Joong-geun, head of the Citizens’ Coalition for the Sale of OTC Drugs.
Many civic groups now demand the health minister step down for the failure to implement a plan to allow the sale of non-prescription drugs at supermarkets.
“The health ministry seems to be there to only reflect the interest of pharmacists without considering customers’ demands, and we don’t need such a minister,” Cho said.
The harsh criticism came after the ministry made a U-turn from its earlier pledge to allow retail stores to sell non-prescription OTC drugs such as painkillers, cold and digestive medicines.
Instead, as an alternative, the ministry proposed to re-categorize drugs through a drug classification committee of pharmacists scheduled to meet on June 15, so that some OTC drugs can be categorized as “non-drug” items and purchased at retail stores.
But such newly-categorized “non-drug” items will only include digestive drugs, vitamins and energy-boosting drinks but exclude painkillers and cold medicines, which means customers would still suffer inconvenience until a more practical solution comes up.
Currently, drugs are categorized as special medicines requiring a doctor’s prescription or general medicines that can be sold by pharmacists without a prescription, and all the drugs can only be sold at pharmacies.
Consequently, the ministry is now seeking a revision of the Pharmacist Law; but it will face strong protests from the association of pharmacists and various other interest groups.