Health ministry bans warehouse-style pharmacy names to curb drug abuse

The health ministry said Wednesday that the National Assembly passed revisions to the Pharmacist Act banning pharmacy names that could encourage drug abuse. The legislation targets so-called warehouse-style pharmacies by prohibiting business titles that distort the function of pharmacies or mislead consumers into treating medicine like ordinary commercial goods.

Under the new rules, pharmacy owners cannot use signs or names designated by ministry decree that might induce excessive consumption of pharmaceuticals. Specific prohibitions will be detailed in upcoming enforcement decrees.

"This revision is significant as it establishes a device to prevent social side effects, including concerns over drug abuse stemming from recent warehouse-style pharmacies," Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyung said.

The revised law will take effect three months after promulgation following cabinet approval. The ministry plans to establish subordinate decrees before implementation and will guide local officials to ensure new pharmacy registrants comply with the naming restrictions. Existing pharmacies currently using prohibited titles will receive a six-month grace period starting from the enforcement date to change their names.