The scope of items that can be handled by the 'smart pharmaceutical vending machine,' which has not been popularized due to item regulations, is expected to be expanded. The Prime Minister's Office's New Industry Regulation Innovation Committee announced on the 27th that it has derived a regulatory recommendation allowing the smart vending of over-the-counter drugs such as antacids, oral contraceptives, and sleep aids, through a coordination meeting on regulatory sandbox tasks.
The smart pharmaceutical vending machine refers to a vending machine installed in front of pharmacies, which allows customers to purchase over-the-counter drugs after consulting with a pharmacist through video call for guidance on medication and usage. This is a system introduced to specify exceptions to the Pharmacy Law regulations that prohibit the sale of pharmaceuticals in locations other than pharmacies.
However, there are criticisms that the adoption rate is low due to the limited number of permitted items. Currently, only 11 drug efficacy categories, including antihistamines and antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory drugs, can be sold through the smart pharmaceutical vending machine.
A commissioner from the New Industry Regulation Innovation Committee noted, 'In Germany, the UK, and China, vending machines sell not only over-the-counter drugs but also prescription medications, and recently, 'dispensing robots' have emerged.' He added, 'Considering the conditions that allow pharmacists to install and manage selling systems in pharmacies under their own responsibility, we believe concerns over public health and safety due to the expansion of drug efficacy categories are not significant.'
This official mentioned, 'Access to pharmaceuticals for the public can be improved during late-night and holiday hours, and especially in emergencies, over-the-counter drugs can be easily purchased.' He added, 'It is expected that expanding the drug efficacy categories will increase public convenience.'
However, the committee made a decision not to approve the application for 'allowing the establishment of traditional medicine pharmacies' submitted alongside the expansion of drug efficacy categories.
It appears that the committee has accepted the criticism that under the current system and management framework, the authority and obligations for managing pharmaceuticals cannot be granted to traditional medicine pharmacists due to the unclear distinction between over-the-counter drugs and traditional medicine formulations. An official from the Innovation Committee stated, 'This is a matter that requires re-discussion after clarifying the legal provisions.'