OTC drug sales bill put in doubt

Pharmacists’ opposition gives politicians cold feet over plan


A plan to allow the sale of over-the-counter drugs outside pharmacies is in doubt as politicians show cold feet toward a relevant bill at the National Assembly.

The plan, directed by President Lee Myung-bak, is supported by the majority of the public in opinion polls, but is facing strong opposition from pharmacists afraid of losing profits. The bill makes 48 drugs available at supermarkets and discount stores for easier and wider access from the public.

According to news reports, Rep. Kim Jin-pyo, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic United Party, told a group of Gyeonggi Province pharmacists that the relevant bill pending at the National Assembly since last August is unlikely to pass the regular parliamentary session by the end of the month. Should it fail to get approval by then, the bill will be automatically discarded since the session is the last one of the 18th National Assembly before the elections on April 11.

“The bill was hastily pushed. We need test runs and more preparation,” Kim said. Last month, he told pharmacists in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, which is his constituency, he will block the bill.

The ruling party also showed opposition. Rep. Lee Jae-oh and Won Hee-mok assured pharmacists in their respective constituencies that the bill will not pass.

“Drugs should not be too accessible to people. They shouldn’t be easy to buy,” Won reportedly said.

The pharmacist lobby is the biggest reason behind the opposition, industry insiders say.

According to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, easier access to OTC drugs is supported by 91 percent of the public.

Min Byeong-rim, a regional head of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, admitted to a local daily that he had visited lawmakers last month to ask for help.

“We will not let the bill pass the session,” he said.

Cho Jung-keun, a civic activist devoted to pushing the wider sales of the non-prescriptive drugs outside pharmacies, said that politicians are mindful of the influence the pharmacists have on local communities.

“They sell more than drugs. Because they take care of overall health, their remarks have substantial influence on people, especially elderly people who come and go to the pharmacies regularly. They share news, discuss problems and have all the gossip at the pharmacies,” he said, adding that pharmacists’ organizational power is also too strong for candidates to ignore.

He said his group will reveal the names of the lawmakers who have opposed the passage of the bill on Wednesday, and also hold a campaign against them during the upcoming election.

“We don’t need politicians who do not listen to our needs,” he said.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it will push for the passage of the bill.

“Pharmacists have refused to negotiate with the government. But we will push for the bill to pass by Feb. 16, when the session closes,” Lee Tae-han, a ministry official, said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)