Lee urges drug firms to fulfill 'social responsibilities' over OTC drugs

SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday pharmaceutical firms should fulfill their "social responsibilities," criticizing the delay in their provision of over-the-counter drugs to supermarkets and other retail stores.
The government has revised regulations to allow 48 OTC drugs, including the popular energy drink "Bacchus," to be sold at supermarkets in an effort to address the difficulty of getting medicine at night and on weekends or holidays when most pharmacies are closed.
It is the first time the government has allowed the sale of OTC drugs at non-pharmacy stores.
Though the measure took effect last Thursday, the products have not reached supermarket shelves yet as pharmaceutical firms have apparently been reluctant to provide such drugs to supermarkets over concern it may anger pharmacists.
Pharmacists have strongly protested the measure, apparently fearing that they could lose a major source of income. They have claimed that supermarket sales of medicines could lead to drug misuse and abuse.
The issue was raised during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with President Lee asking Health Minister Chin Soo-hee about the situation, and the minister said the delay was caused by the lack of preparations, adding that the drugs will be available at supermarkets from Thursday.
"All pharmaceutical firms should cooperate and fulfill their social responsibilities," Lee was quoted as saying by presidential spokesman Park Jeong-ha.
Lee also instructed officials to make sure to seek cooperation from drug firms so that people have no difficulty getting medicine during the holiday season, the spokesman said.


jschang@yna.co.kr
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