MOHW reluctant to CVS's request to expand SRADs

CVS industry requests expansion of Safe and Readily Available Drugs (SRADs) sold at convenience stores

Tae-Gil Ha, Director of Division of Pharmaceutical Policy at MOHW “policy environment is changing with the introduction of public late-night pharmacies, pharmacy vending machines, etc.”

“200-400 reports on SRAD-related adverse events are filed every year”

“Requests have been made for legislations on seller education and reinforced enforcement of regulations”

The Ministry of Health and Welfare expressed disapproval over the convenience store industry's request that the scope of Safe and Readily Available Drugs (SRADs) should be expanded to antacids and burn ointments for sale at convenience stores.

 

The MOHW explained that the SRAD system is a unique exception made from the healthcare system’s perspective, and that the policy environment is now changing so that drugs may be purchased from pharmacists at public late-night pharmacies or pharmacy vending machines.

 

At the 'Policy Improvement Seminar for the Sustainable Development of Close-to-Life Retail Industry' that was organized by the Korea Franchisee Union and hosted by Seung-Jae Choi's Office of the People Power Party, Tae-Gil Ha, Director of Pharmaceutical Policy at MOHW, reiterated that the SRAD system is a special exception made from the perspective of Korea’s healthcare system.

 

Director Ha said, “Pharmaceuticals are biologically active, and contrary to the claim that ‘no side effects have been reported from the use of SRADs sold at convenience stores, around 200-400 adverse events are being reported annually through the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Korea Institute of Drug Safety & Risk Management.

 

Although in principle, pharmacists need to dispense pharmaceuticals, the SRAD system was allowed as an exception for the convenience of the patients for their use at times that pharmacists cannot cover.

 

We are not aware how much SRADs' sales contribute to sales at convenience stores, but we have to put consumer convenience and health first."

Director Ha added, “Although there is a claim that the operation of late-night pharmacies is poor, policy changes such as the expansion of public late-night pharmacies and pharmacy vending machines are currently being made.

 

Still, there is much conflict over SRADs in reaching a social consensus.” In other words, in addition to the occupational conflicts that arise among pharmacists, experts have concluded that it is difficult to designate antacid and antidiarrheal drugs as SRADs.

 

Director Ha also noted that contrary to the claims of the convenience store industry, problems such as rule violations on the sellers’ part are also being raised.

 

He said, "Some media outlets have covered how seller compliance violations are made in almost 85% of the cases, and that there is demand for legislation to strengthen seller education and reinforce enforcement of regulations.

 

The lack of a systemic system for dispensing SRADs at convenience stores also acts as a burden.” When a policy signal is issued, pharmacists’ associations deliver the news to local pharmacist societies, but no clear systematic delivery route for such news exists for SRADs in convenience stores.

 

Director Ha said, “Patient convenience is of course most important, but please do understand that national statistics on such a demand are not clear and we have to prioritize patient convenience while ensuring the safety of the healthcare system."