By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
The Constitutional Court ruled that the law banning the sale of medicine via courier service is not unconstitutional.
The court said Sunday it rejected a pharmacists petition that the current law restricting drug sales to pharmacies is infringing upon pharmacists rights to fulfill their roles.
The pharmacist, identified by Park, sold medicine for treating arthritis by parcel delivery to a 72-year-old woman four times between October and December in 2004.
Park was suspended business for a month. Park filed a complaint against the decision with the Constitutional Court and claimed that he was not guilty as he sent medicine to the woman who desperately needed it but could not visit his store.
The court said the current law, banning the sale of medicine by courier, is to prevent the deterioration and contamination of medicine during circulation and to ensure pharmacists give face to face instructions concerning dosage. Also, the law is to clarify where the responsibility lies between pharmacists and patients when disputes occur.
The court, however, said it can make an exception, as in a situation where pharmacists deliver medicine to patients in person.
Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/05/117_23609.html
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