The Gwangsan District Council in Gwangju held an urgent meeting to address community concerns regarding the opening of a warehouse-type pharmacy. The meeting, held on the 24th, was presided over by Assemblywoman Park Haewon (Democratic Party of Korea, Cheomdan 1·2-dong), and attended by over 20 participants, including representatives from the Gwangju and Gwangsan District Pharmaceutical Associations, Gwangsan District council members, and relevant public officials.
Gwangsan District Council held an urgent issue meeting on the 24th regarding the "Opening of Gwangju's First Warehouse-Type Pharmacy" and is taking a commemorative photo with the attendees. Provided by Gwangsan District Council
A warehouse-type pharmacy with a floor area of 760 square meters is scheduled to open in Suwan District, Gwangsan District, in October. While there are expectations that residents will benefit from improved accessibility and greater choice, concerns have been raised about weakened medication guidance, potential misuse of pharmaceuticals, and increased traffic congestion in the area.
There have also been allegations that the pharmacy stockpiled large quantities of pharmaceuticals before its registration was completed. In response, the Pharmaceutical Association filed a complaint against the pharmacy for violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and the local health center has begun a legal review. Under current law, pharmacy openings are regulated through a registration system rather than a licensing system, so there are no legal grounds to restrict the size or format of a pharmacy.
It was also pointed out that the parking lot has a single entrance and exit, making traffic congestion inevitable and potentially increasing illegal parking. The Pharmaceutical Association stated that rather than unconditional opposition, it would be preferable to operate the pharmacy with institutional safety measures in place. Although a related amendment to the law has been proposed in the National Assembly, it is expected to take time before it is processed.
The Gwangsan District Council plans to work with the Gwangju City Council to enact an ordinance and to prepare supplementary measures at the local government level until the higher-level law is amended.
Assemblywoman Park stated, "Because this is the first attempt at a warehouse-type pharmacy in Gwangju, it is difficult to predict its impact. We will prioritize the safety and health rights of residents, work with relevant agencies to establish institutional safety measures, and proactively develop alternatives to minimize resident inconvenience, such as traffic congestion."
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