In the large-scale return business promoted by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, there is a so-called ‘imaginary number’ problem where drugs from distributors, not pharmacies, are added.
In the process of transferring their inventory, some retailers have highlighted specific pharmacies and registered their products in the return system. Additionally, it is noted that another hypothetical possibility exists due to system error problems.
According to pharmacies and the distribution industry, during the data entry period for the Korean Pharmaceutical Association’s return business, which ended on January 31 this year, some distributors increased the number of medicines returned by transferring quantities to certain pharmacies.
After two extensions, the Pharmaceutical Society confirmed the period for entering the return list of abandoned stock drugs until January 31, and requested that the items be noted on the return support website.
The business proceeds in such a way that the retailer collects and settles the amount recorded, and in this process, there is a very large number compared to the amount that can be used by pharmacies present is entered into the computer.
As a result of actual confirmation, it is known that only a number of confirmed companies, including domestic drug distributors, spoke to pharmacies and entered them into the computer so that their products could be returned.
Representatively, in the case of Company A, in this project, the list of companies whose settlement ratio is disclosed upon return is given in the local pharmacy where the company is located, and the company intending to send the product to the pharmaceutical company together.
The problem of obsolete medicines is the same for pharmacies as well as distributors who dispense them. This is because it is impossible to fill the warehouse with unused drugs without passing that much stock.
Nevertheless, it is true that some say that the actions of the companies are not in line with the purpose of ‘determining the use of medicines in pharmacies’ originally claimed by the pharmacists. For this reason, it is noted that the industry is making a convenient way of solving a problem that would have been solved if the retailer had obtained an ID.
Among these, there is one more imaginary issue. In the process of entering the system, it is constantly heard that there are cases where a pharmacy of that size comes out with an amount in billions that is difficult to afford.
Originally, the input system on the website received complaints from pharmacies from the start of the business.
In the end, the message circulating in the pharmacy read, ‘Currently, negotiations with the system input company are not progressing smoothly. At present, the collection point for returns from the pharmacists’ association is expected to be in March, and in future it can only be settled at the end of June’.
For this reason, there are observations that the amount recorded by January 31 will also expand significantly from the amount indicated by the actual pharmacy price.
In pharmacy and distribution industries, some say that the process of returning products will not be easy if counterfeit products continue like this.
An official from the distribution industry said, “Although the schedule is already a bit behind schedule in the distribution industry, preparations for the actual collection are proceeding step by step.” he said.
He continued, “Of course, it may be different from the industry prediction, which is expected to be around 100 billion won. The amount may decrease in the case of the company’s own return.” As rumors circulated that, there is a possibility that the actual return amount will be significantly lower than the industry expectation if input errors are corrected.”
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