Pharmacists push back as Korea's discount chain sells supplements at lower prices

A Daiso store / Courtesy of Daiso

Some pharmaceutical companies have begun selling health supplements at Daiso, a budget retailer known for capping product prices at 5,000 won ($3.75), sparking strong opposition from pharmacists. In response, some pharmacists are considering boycotting the companies involved.

Daiso launched health supplement sales at 200 locations nationwide on Jan. 24. While pharmaceutical firms have previously supplied over-the-counter products to the retailer, this is the first time health supplements are being sold there. The three companies supplying these products are Daewoong Pharmaceutical, CKD Healthcare and Il-yang Pharmaceutical.

The supplements available at Daiso include multivitamins and minerals, vitamin B, milk thistle, lutein, calcium-magnesium-vitamin D, omega-3, probiotics, vitamin C, zinc and iron. Supplements sold at pharmacies typically cost between 20,000 and 30,000 won for a month's supply. Meanwhile, Daiso offers health supplement products for just 3,000 to 5,000 won.

Pharmacists are reacting negatively to the move. On online forums, some have posted comments such as “This is unbelievable,” “If you want 5,000-won medicine, go to Daiso, but if you want pharmacist-recommended products, come to a pharmacy” and “This will ruin pharmacies.”

Some pharmacists are also taking direct action. “I’ve packed up all Daewoong Pharmaceutical products to return them,” one pharmacist wrote. Others said, “Once I sell the remaining stock, I will never order from them again” and “Starting in late February, I won’t be carrying Daewoong products.”

Meanwhile, online reactions among consumers have been mixed. Some commenters said, “People who go to pharmacies will still go” and “As someone with anemia, I’m happy to get iron supplements for 3,000 won.” Others criticized pharmacists' complaints, writing, “Seeing them react this way makes me think Daiso supplements must be fine” and “This just proves pharmacies were overcharging all along.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.