The South Korean National Assembly has officially passed a partial amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, prohibiting pharmacies from using commercial terms such as "warehouse-style" or "factory-style" on their signboards. Announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, this legislative update addresses growing social concerns over large-scale, self-service discount pharmacies.
Under the revised law, pharmacies cannot use names that distort their primary function, cause consumer misinterpretation, or encourage excessive consumption and potential abuse of medications. Authorities noted that industrial terms cause consumers to view pharmaceuticals like ordinary commercial goods, prioritizing price over medical safety and professional consultation.
However, officials clarified that this legislation targets store nomenclature rather than banning the operation of large discount pharmacies themselves. These establishments can continue operating provided they adopt standard naming conventions.
The amendment will take effect three months after formal promulgation following State Council approval. Existing pharmacies currently using restricted names are granted a six-month grace period to rebrand. Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung stated that the reform aims to build a sound pharmaceutical retail environment unaffected by commercial excess.
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