Opinions Raised at Press Conference on the 18th
The Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association held a press conference on the morning of the 18th at the Citizen Communication Room of the Gwangju City Council, urging the suspension of administrative procedures for opening warehouse-type pharmacies. Provided by the Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association
Pharmacist organizations in Gwangju have called for a suspension of the administrative procedures for opening "warehouse-type pharmacies" that are currently being promoted in the Gwangju area.
The Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association held a press conference on the morning of the 18th at the Citizen Communication Room of the Gwangju City Council, stating, "We strongly oppose the opening of warehouse-type pharmacies," and emphasized, "The Gwangsan District Office should suspend the approval process until institutional measures are put in place."
The Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association argued, "Medicines are not simply industrial products but biologically active substances that require thorough management and medication guidance by pharmacists," adding, "Warehouse-type pharmacies are likely to encourage drug misuse and undermine proper medication guidance."
The association further pointed out, "If warehouse-type pharmacies are introduced, the ecosystem of over 700 local pharmacies will collapse, and the neighborhood-level public health safety net will be destroyed. In addition, a parking building is planned for the proposed site, which could lead to serious traffic congestion."
They stressed, "This is not merely a conflict between business types, but a matter that simultaneously threatens public health, community safety, and the traffic environment," and urged, "The head of the Gwangsan District Office must halt the opening until countermeasures are prepared."
The association recently submitted an ordinance bill to the city council to prevent the indiscriminate spread of warehouse-type pharmacies. The bill includes requirements such as mandatory submission of safety management plans for large pharmacies (over 330 square meters) and the establishment of a review committee.
In Gwangju, a pharmacy with a floor area of 262 square meters (76 pyeong) in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, completed the opening procedures on September 8 and is preparing to begin operations. In the Suwan District of Gwangsan-gu, an even larger warehouse-type pharmacy, approximately 760 square meters (230 pyeong), is expected to open as early as the end of this month or early next month.
The pharmacy in the Suwan District initially filed for opening last month but voluntarily withdrew the application due to inadequate facilities; however, it is expected that a new application will be submitted. Since the first case of a warehouse-type pharmacy appeared in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province in June, such pharmacies are showing signs of spreading nationwide.
There are both positive responses, such as the expansion of consumer choice, and concerns that these pharmacies could disrupt the order of pharmaceutical distribution.
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