Table of Contents
- In the Era of Pets, How Should We Purchase Animal Medicine?
- Where Should We Purchase Animal Medicine?
- Busan Special Investigation Unit Uncovers Large-Scale Illegal Distribution
- Specific Cases: How Was It Distributed?
- What Punishments Are Imposed for Illegal Distribution?
- A Time When Veterinarians, Pharmacists, and Wholesalers' Ethics and Responsibilities are Important
In the Era of Pets, How Should We Purchase Animal Medicine?
As we enter an era where there are about 15 million pets, their health management has also emerged as an important issue. Just like people, it has become common for pets to receive treatment and prescriptions at hospitals.
However, the purchase and distribution of veterinary drugs must comply with strict legal standards and procedures, and violations can lead to serious consequences. Recently, a focused crackdown on the illegal distribution of veterinary drugs in Busan uncovered illegal cases worth over 200 million won. Such incidents are rekindling social interest in the distribution structure and safety of animal medicine.
Where Should We Purchase Animal Medicine?
Veterinary medicines can generally only be purchased with a prescription from a veterinarian and should ideally be purchased at an animal hospital or a designated animal pharmacy.
Except in special cases, it is legally prohibited for unqualified individuals to sell these products.
Animal hospitals act as institutions that prescribe medicines, while animal pharmacies serve as sales establishments operated by qualified pharmacists, playing an essential role. Wholesalers supply medicines only to veterinarians or pharmacists.
However, some companies continue illegal transactions for reasons like price competition or convenience of supply. This poses a serious threat not only to the health of pets but also to the health of humans. To address these issues, it is essential to comply with laws and regulations.
Busan Special Investigation Unit Uncovers Large-Scale Illegal Distribution
The city of Busan conducted intensive crackdowns on wholesalers, animal hospitals, animal pharmacies, and unmanned sales points handling veterinary medicines from January 20 to April 11, 2025. During this process, a total of 13 illegal acts were uncovered at 12 locations.
The violations found were varied, including one incident of illegal purchase from an unqualified supplier and another case of a person without proper qualifications selling veterinary medicines. Additionally, there were 7 cases of expired medicines being stored or displayed, and one case where transaction records were not created or maintained. Lastly, there were also 3 cases identified where counterfeit and unlicensed medicines were sold.
Specific Cases: How Was It Distributed?
Case 1: Wholesaler A was caught distributing animal medicines purchased from animal hospitals 94 times over the past five years, totaling approximately 280 million won. This was considered illegal purchase from unqualified animal hospitals.
Case 2: Animal Hospital B was found to be involved in illegal distribution worth 200 million won by selling animal medicines to wholesalers, an action prohibited under the Pharmacists Act.
Case 3: Animal Pharmacy C was caught for displaying medicines that had expired over a year and a half.
Case 4: Animal Pharmacy D violated the law by failing to document or maintain transaction records after selling animal antibiotics.
These cases highlight the importance of complying with regulations regarding the distribution and sale of veterinary medicines.
Case 5:
At an unmanned adult goods store E, unlicensed local anesthetics and counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs were found being sold through vending machines and separate storage. According to an analysis by the Busan Health and Environment Research Institute, lidocaine was found in 'Procomil' and 'King Power Spray,' and these products were identified as potentially dangerous due to the risk of allergic reactions or respiratory distress. Such cases represent serious problems threatening consumer safety.
What Punishments Are Imposed for Illegal Distribution?
Violating the Pharmacists Act and related laws results in strict penalties.
If unqualified persons sell medicines or distribute counterfeit drugs, they may face up to 5 years of imprisonment or fines of up to 50 million won.
Moreover, purchasing medicines from unqualified suppliers or storing or displaying expired drugs can lead to imprisonment of up to 1 year or fines of up to 10 million won.
Finally, failing to document or preserve transaction records of animal medicines can result in a fine of up to 1 million won.
A Time When Veterinarians, Pharmacists, and Wholesalers' Ethics and Responsibilities are Important
The recent results of crackdowns emphasize that veterinarians, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical wholesalers, if not adhering to legal and ethical standards, can pose serious threats not only to animal health but also to human health.
Veterinary medicines require professional management. When distributed or prescribed in unauthorized ways, it constitutes a clear violation of the law and can severely undermine public trust.
Veterinarians, pharmacists, and wholesalers must clearly understand their respective roles and responsibilities in diagnosis, prescription, sale, and supply, respectively. They must always carry the necessary ethical consciousness and sense of responsibility.
The city of Busan plans to strengthen monitoring and punishment for illegal distribution practices and will strive to establish a safe distribution system for medicines to protect the health of citizens and pets.
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