Establishment of a System to Enforce One Item per Person per Purchase
Suspension of Over-the-Counter Drug Orders at Non-Operating Stores
Strengthened Management and Supervision of Franchise Stores Selling Safety Over-the-Counter Drugs
The convenience store industry is significantly strengthening the sales and management system of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for safety.
According to the Korea Convenience Store Association, franchise headquarters have completed the establishment of a system that prevents excessive and duplicate purchases at the same store to comply with the rule of one item per person per transaction. Although they have obtained sales registration permits, franchise stores that do not operate 24 hours due to shortened business hours are improving work processes to block the ordering of OTC drugs so that sales do not occur. Considering that medication guidance is not possible at convenience stores under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, measures are also being promoted to attach precautions and price tags when taking OTC drugs and to display medication information on the POS screen.
A representative of the convenience store industry said, "A full survey was conducted in the first half of this year, and in June, ordering restrictions were imposed on 'arbitrarily non-operating stores' that hold registration permits but do not sell OTC drugs, as well as on franchise stores that have not had OTC drug sales for 30 consecutive days."
Under the current Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, when OTC drug sales are suspended or resumed, it must be reported to the head of the local government, and if the suspension period is less than one month, the reporting obligation is exempted. Nevertheless, convenience store franchise headquarters are leading compliance management by restricting orders and reducing incentives for franchise stores that have no drug sales within 30 days and have not reported suspensions, except for short-term suspensions such as family events. They are also considering strong sanctions such as cancellation of OTC drug sales registration in case of legal violations.
The strengthening of OTC drug sales and management by the convenience store industry is explained as a measure to reorganize the public function of convenience stores and enhance consumer convenience. Yeom Gyu-seok, vice chairman of the Convenience Store Industry Association, said, "During the COVID-19 period, convenience stores contributed to public health and hygiene by selling masks and self-diagnostic kits. Since OTC drug sales at convenience stores are concentrated during late-night hours and holidays when pharmacies are closed, thorough management of OTC drugs by franchise headquarters can be seen as a move to strengthen the social function of convenience stores."
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