More over-the-counter drugs to be available at supermarkets

The government plans to increase the number of simple drugs sold at supermarkets or convenience stores. Over-the-counter (OTC) items will include quasi-medical soft drinks and first aid medicines such as digestives, painkillers, antipyretics and sticking para-aminosalicylic acid plasters. The Ministry of Finance and Economy said Monday that it was consulting with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to make simple drugs with few adverse side effects available at retail stores for the convenience of consumers. Liberalized sales could also lower the cost of medicines by encouraging competition among outlets, it said.

The existing MOHW ordinance allows only the following drugs to be sold over the counter: Preventives against bad breath and hair loss; contact lense fluid and paraphernalia; smoking-cessation tools; external disinfectants; para-aminosalicyclic spray; and low-level vitamins.

In the United States, a range of drugs as extensive as sleeping pills, cold remedies and anti-rheumatic medicines are available at stores other than pharmacies. In the United Kingdom, consumers can buy cold tablets and medicines for mild skin ailments at supermarkets. According to Rep. Kim Hong-Shin of the Grand National Party, who polled 458 Seoul residents on the issue in 1997, 83.6 percent of respondents said they favored including these and similar low-risk drugs in the over-the-counter category.

Kwon Soon-Hwal shkwon@donga.com