On July 21, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that 48 over-the-counter (OTC) drugs would become available outside pharmacies. Before the implementation of this policy, people were only allowed to purchase non-prescription medical goods such as aspirin or digestion aids at pharmacies. But OTC medicines have long been sold in stores in other countries such as the USA and Japan. Therefore, the Korean government reasoned that its people should have wider access to OTC drugs, like the citizens of other countries. However, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association (KPA) strongly opposes the ministry’s decision and argues that the sales of OTC drugs outside pharmacies are unnecessary and dangerous, as it could lead to drug abuse.

An advantage to selling OTC medicines in stores is that it provides consumers greater access to medical goods. With the new policy in effect, people will be able to access OTC drugs not only at pharmacies, but also at supermarkets and convenience stores. Since convenience stores are often open 24 hours a day, consumers can buy non-prescription medical goods when pharmacies are closed.

“I once had a painful night because convenience stores did not carry aspirin,” said Kim Do-Sung of Chung-Ang University. “One day, I woke up in the middle of the night to find some aspirin in my dorm. Unfortunately, I had run out of the drug. Therefore, I had to go back to sleep since stores did not sell medicine. If convenience stores start selling OTC drugs soon, that will be helpful throughout the rest of my dorm life.”

A foreign student studying in Korea shared her inconvenient experience seeking OTC drugs. “I used to buy OTC medicines at the supermarket when I was in Japan,” the Japanese student said. “That’s why it felt so inconvenient trying to get things like painkillers and cold medicines in Korea for the first time. Fortunately, I heard the news, so I guess I won’t have to search for pharmacies from now on when I need non-prescription drugs. I am looking forward to buying OTC drugs at stores next semester.”

However, some students worry that the sales of OTC medicines in stores could lead to drug abuse. Supermarket clerks may not be informed about certain drugs, while pharmacists are trained to give detailed instructions to help people buy the appropriate medicine. Additionally, pharmacists provide customers with limited supplies of drugs to avoid side effects. In this sense, drug abuse is more likely to occur when OTC drugs are allowed to be sold in stores.

“I am really concerned about overdosing on medicine,” said a Korean student studying in the USA. “One day, one of my friends was very ill, so she bought lots of drugs at a supermarket. A few days later, she fainted somehow. She told me that the accident happened because she took too much medicine. That’s why I believe selling OTC drugs in supermarkets may be dangerous.” 

Another foreign student had a different viewpoint. “I think it is unnecessary to sell non-prescription goods in Korean stores,” an American college student from California said. “In America, there are few pharmacies, so stores should sell some OTC drugs. However, there are so many pharmacies in Korea compared to the USA. That is why Korean supermarkets do not need to sell drugs. I also believe that depending on drugs is not the best way to cure someone.”

Guest Reporter Roh Hyun-Wook 

avonmore@naver.com