Warehouse-Style Pharmacy Planned for Gwangju Hypermarket... Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association Voices Opposition

The Gwangju Metropolitan Pharmaceutical Association has expressed concerns regarding the plan to open a warehouse-style pharmacy inside the Lotte Mart Sangmu branch and has requested an official meeting at the headquarters level.

On January 14, the Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association sent an official letter to Lotte Shopping and others, requesting a meeting on the premise of reconsidering the entry plan.

The association released a statement saying, "Unlike general consumer goods, pharmaceuticals are public goods that require professional medication guidance and continuous safety management," and pointed out, "In particular, the warehouse-style pharmacy model, which sells pharmaceuticals in large quantities, at low prices, and with unlimited choices inside large distribution facilities, structurally increases the risk of drug misuse, adverse drug reactions, and poses significant health risks for the elderly and patients with chronic diseases."

They further added, "Lotte Mart's attempt to introduce this pharmacy model without sufficient consultation with the local community and medical and health experts is not merely a matter of store operations, but an issue that could have a significant impact on local health safety and the public healthcare system."

Additionally, they emphasized, "This meeting is not intended for confrontation or criticism, but to seek a rational solution that comprehensively considers pharmaceutical safety, the local community health system, and the social responsibility of large distribution companies. In light of Lotte Mart's continued emphasis on ESG management and principles of coexistence with the local community, it is necessary to directly listen to the opinions of local health experts and thoroughly review this matter."