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- 2026-06-06 15:07:47
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- Disturbance to secure inventory of Diovan and Exforge
- by Jung, Heung-Jun Sep 05, 2021 08:26pm
- Pharmacists suffered from inventory after six products, including Diovan and Exforge, by Novartis Korea, were announced to local pharmacies on the afternoon of the 1st. When there were concerns that impurities were detected, Novartis Korea explained that the quality was fine, but it was a lot release that was decided due to administrative delays. According to local pharmacies on the 1st, four products including Diovan, Co-Diovan, Exforge, and Entresto by Novartis Korea and Kotarec and Tarec by Sandoz Korea will be suspended from September. It said the lot release was suspended because it did not submit safety inspection data to the MFDS until the end of August. Upon hearing the news, pharmacists rushed to secure inventory, and all products were sold out at pharmacies-only online malls. Pharmaceutical companies immediately explained that the decision to suspend lot release is not a matter of quality. "Azido impurities were not detected in Valsartan raw materials used in that product," a Novartis Korea official said. "We have been conducting investigations for many years to confirm that there is no problem, and right after the incident, the headquarters submitted the manufacturing process verification data to major European and overseas countries and confirmed that there was no problem." Although the related documents were recently submitted to the MFDS, it took some time to confirm, so the lot release was inevitably decided from September 1. "Lot release is scheduled as soon as the reply comes," the company added. Later in the day, Novartis sent an official letter to hospital doctors and pharmacists, explaining that there was no problem with the quality of the products mentioned. A pharmacist in Seoul said, "We received an answer that we will try to release the product as soon as possible once we prepare the prescription with our inventory." "I'm glad to hear that." Another pharmacist in Gyeonggi do (in an online mall) seems to have hoarded some pharmacies because of anxiety. "I think it's going to work out faster than I thought."
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- "Inhibiting ANO1 activity has effect on treating psoriasis"
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Aug 05, 2021 06:02am
- A study result has shown that inhibiting the activity of the Anoctamin-1 (ANO1) protein may be effective in treating psoriasis, an intractable skin disorder. The results are expected to aid further research in developing ANO1 inhibitors for the treatment of intractable diseases such as psoriasis and cancer. On the 4th, the joint research team of Gyeonggi-do Regional Research Center and Professor Young Duk Yang’s team at the CHA University School of Medicine announced the results of the study that contained these findings. Psoriasis is an intractable skin condition that causes a build-up of extra dead cells and inflammation that occurs due to abnormal function of the immune system. The joint research team found that effectively blocking one of the ion channels that exist in the body – the ANO1 ion channel – reduced key symptoms of psoriasis such as rash, erythema, white scales, etc. while reducing inflammation-inducing substances that cause psoriasis Accordingly, the teams plan to expand their scope of research to develop new ANO1 inhibitors for the treatment of intractable diseases such as psoriasis and cancer. ANO1 is a membrane protein that acts as a channel for chloride ion transport. Professor Young Duk Yang said, “Psoriasis is an intractable skin disorder with no identified cause that is difficult to treat and recurs well. The study results may be used as a new breakthrough in the development of treating psoriasis.” The study results were published in the International Journal of Molecules Sciences in July 2021.
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- Consult with MD about controversy over Champix?
- by Jul 07, 2021 05:53am
- Concerns over the detection of carcinogens in the anti-smoking supplementary drug Champix (Varenicline), pharmacies are also making a series of inquiries. However, there are no clear guidelines for existing patients, adding to the confusion. As part of preemptive measures related to the impurity crisis, the domestic supply has been completely suspended and the investigation is underway at the global headquarters level, but no guidelines have been prepared for refunds or suspension. Therefore, pharmacists explain that it is difficult to respond to questions about whether pharmacies continue to take them. Pharmacist A said, "There have been more than a few recent inquiries from existing users asking if they can continue taking the medicine after hearing media reports." "There is a risk of cancer, so we are asking the pharmacy whether the dose continues or not," he said. Pharmacist B also had patients taking Champix asking the same question through the pharmacy, and he was confused when he asked Pfizer whether to take it continuously. The pharmacist asked the patient how to guide him in terms of safety, and the pharmaceutical company replied, "We can't give you advice that you can't take it steadily, so I have to discuss it with the doctor in charge." "It is sensitive to give accurate and clear answers because it is currently under investigation. As there are people who have already been prescribed and taken, we expect many inquiries from pharmacies." The pharmacist said, "It is absurd why they ask us to consult a doctor about impurities," and added, "There should be guidance from pharmaceutical companies on how to respond." The pharmacist actually asked the lawmaker, but the doctors also did not give a clear answer. He stressed the need to prepare guidelines for refunds and inquiries. The MFDS has launched an investigation into the impurities of the Sartan hypertension drug and the anti-smoking drug Varenicline. Regarding the guidelines, Pfizer explained, "We are currently investigating the possibility of Nitrosamine impurities, so we are guiding you to consult with a doctor about whether to take them. It is said that it is difficult for pharmaceutical companies to express their position on the suspension or recommendation of medication because they have not received additional recommendations from regulators other than the suspension of supply. The official predicted that follow-up guidelines will be prepared based on the results of the inspection. "The risk of exposure to Nitrosamine from taking Varenicline is very low," a Pfizer headquarters spokesman said. "The benefits of taking drugs are better than the risks," he said.
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- AZ-Pfizer vaccine mix is "confirmed safe and effective"
- by Jul 05, 2021 05:54am
- With community pharmacists who have received their first vaccination of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine awaiting their second jab with the Pfizer vaccine this month, the health authorities announced that there are no safety concerns regarding the ‘mix-and-match' of the vaccines. The authorities explained that though mild side effects were observed, no severe adverse events were reported after receiving the vaccine mix, therefore, there are no safety issues pertaining to mixing doses of the two vaccines. Guidelines with the said information was issued by the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team in response to the safety concerns raised by some ahead of the ‘temporary mixed-dose inoculation’ that will be provided to the 76,000 people who are working in vulnerable facilities, flight attendants, healthcare workers, and essential workers that already received their 1st dose with the AstraZeneca vaccine from April to May. The move for this mix and match schedule passed deliberation of the Korea Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (KAICP) with a review on the efficacy and safety of the mixed-dose vaccination to address the delay of the 835,000 vaccine doses that were initially scheduled to arrive by the end of June through the COVAX facility. In other words, the mixed two-dose schedule that uses the Pfizer vaccine as a second dose is a temporary measure decided upon in consideration of the current supply shortage. Community pharmacists under the age of 50 (born after January 1st, 1972) who already received their first vaccinations will have to receive their second shot with the Pfizer vaccine due to age restrictions that were set on using the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, pharmacists who are 50 years or older (born before December 31st, 1971) may receive the AstraZeneca vaccine if they desire. Reservations for the second dose are automatically made to the same institution at which the individual received their first dose, on the 7th day of the 11th week after his/her first vaccination. Individuals may change their vaccination date in the 11th-12th week period after their first vaccination. They may postpone the date by 1 week at most from the originally scheduled date, and it may not be pulled forwarded to an earlier date. “Other countries such as Germany, France, Canada, Norway, Sweden have been recommending mixing use of mRNA vaccines to those who were first vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Also, the safety and efficacy of using the Pfizer vaccine as a second dose was confirmed in people who were first vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Canada and Spain,” said the COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team. Studies from Spain and Germany have shown that vaccinating with the AstraZeneca-Pfizer mix showed a better immune effect with increased neutralizing activity against the COVID-19 variants than one or two shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The team added that a study on this mixed-dose vaccination is also currently underway in Korea and that the initial results will be shared in early July. Regarding the adverse events of the dose-mixing, the team added, “Dose-mixing studies abroad have shown that fever increased when the AstraZeneca vaccine was administered first and followed by Pfizer compared to when a same vaccine was administered both times. The results were also the same for the occurrence of mild adverse events such as fatigue, injection site pain, headaches, and muscle pain, but no serious abnormalities were confirmed." The inoculation schedule for the administration of the mixed second dose will follow the period set during the first vaccination. The mix currently planned is the 1st AstraZeneca-2nd Pfizer vaccine mix, and will be administered with an 11-12 week dosing interval according to the AstraZeneca vaccine’s dosing interval. People who must postpone receiving their second shot while following the AstraZeneca-AstraZeneca vaccine schedule are recommended to receive their shots within 16 weeks, which means the second dose should be administered from July 26th to July 31st. In cases where ‘an individual does not receive their second dose due to fear of mixing vaccines,’ the team said, “The second vaccination, as in the first vaccination, will be administered based on each individuals’ consent, so we cannot force an individual to vaccinate with a different vaccine if he/she is not comfortable receiving the AstraZeneca-Pfizer mix. Those who wish to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine rather than Pfizer’s may be able to receive their shots after August 1st, depending on the supply situation.”
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- Sales prices have risen due to increased Tylenol demand?
- by Jung, Heung-Jun Jun 23, 2021 05:54am
- Pharmacists are upset when it is pointed out that pharmacies have raised the sales price of Tylenol due to increased demand for Tylenol. It is a misunderstanding that pharmacies are making great profits by raising prices unlike existing sales prices, which was actually a price change in some pharmacies due to differences in supply prices. Some media reported that the price of Tylenol, which was previously purchased at ₩2,000, rose due to the price adjustment due to the shortage. Recently, the price of Tylenol exceeded ₩2,000, forcing pharmacists to protest against the report. local pharmacist A also sent a protest mail to the media company, attaching a transaction statement with the unit price of supply. The unit price of pharmacies has already exceeded ₩2,000 (Pharmacist A said, "It is seriously distorted. Should consumers pay by credit card at ₩2,000, lower than the unit price supplied to pharmacies?" He said, "It further hurt pharmacists suffering from inappropriate comments on Tylenol." The supply price of 5 million tablets of Tylenol, which were recently divided into the first and second rounds, increased by about 10% compared to the supply price of individual pharmacies. Therefore, some pharmacies were adjusting their selling prices slightly. "As Tylenol is supplied equally across the country, the purchase price has risen slightly to pharmacies. Pharmacists are also unhappy about that," he said. "Some pharmacies have adjusted their sales prices and raised our pharmacies by ₩500 because they have already risen from the previous price." The first and second supplies to pharmacies nationwide will be distributed early this week. While 5 million tablets were supplied, Hangaram Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which is in charge of distribution, was not receiving any separate orders. With all the units supplied, Hangaram Pharmaceutical will resume its individual orders at pharmacies.
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- Tylenol sales increased 10 times to peak in May
- by Jun 21, 2021 05:50am
- Pharmacies' difficulties have reached their peak due to the surging demand for Tylenol, which is said to be "more precious than COVID-19 vaccine." This is because Tylenol has become so precious that it is rarely found in pharmacies. Then how popular was Tylenol? Analysis of POS data from 185 pharmacies showed that sales of Tylenol 500 mg and Tylenol ER 8HR increased 10 times compared to the beginning of this year. According to a survey of sales at 185 pharmacies, Care Insights recorded a peak in May after steadily increasing in March and April since the COVID-19 vaccination began on February 26. In particular, demand more than quadrupled compared to the average year in May. According to this year's sales, 12,467 in January, 12,222 in February, 20,756 in March, 29,447 in April and 54,340 in May. From January to May, 129,232 units were sold. Compared to 126,590 in 2018, 138,327 in 2019, and 173,687 in 2020, the company sold a year's worth in five months. The market share of Tylenol in Pharmacies was also overwhelming with 92.4%. Other APAP formulations accounted for only 7.6%. Considering that the average Tylenol sales share was 82.6% last year, the market share itself has risen further. An official from Care Insights said, "The more Tylenol is mentioned through the media, the more Tylenol sales tend to increase." The official said, "Although 100 to 200 Tylenols are supplied per pharmacy, this is believed to be the amount that can only be sold for about 15 days," and added, "As the vaccination rate is increasing, it seems necessary to come up with measures."
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- 5 mil Tylenols will be released to market…100 per pharmacy
- by Jun 14, 2021 05:56am
- ‘Public Tylenol will be supplied,’ ‘Why is the government unnecessarily supplying Tylenol to every pharmacy?’ On the 11th, the pharmacists’ community heat up over the Tylenol supply issue. The issue was sparked with some distributors spreading the news that ‘public rationed Tylenol will be released in the market from the 14th.' The social media chat rooms of pharmacists heated up with intense debate at the news that was spread before the government’s announcement. To clarify, the to-be-supplied Tylenol is not ‘public’ Tylenol. It is a measure made by the government to solve the current Tylenol shortage, under which the government plans to release the maximum amount of antipyretic analgesics to the market. From the released products, each pharmacy may order the amount needed, therefore the measure is not public rationing in any sense. Also, pharmacies that do not need Tylenol do not need to take up the supply, so there is no need for pharmacies to complain ‘Why the government is unnecessarily supplying Tylenol to every pharmacy?’ But it is true that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has called on relevant associations including the pharmacists', pharmaceutical, and distribution associations to address the issue. The MFDS had recently called on the Korean Pharmacists’ association, Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, and Korean Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association to resolve the shortage caused by the surge in demand. The government’s goal is to ‘allow the public to be able to purchase acetaminophen as needed after COVID-19 vaccinations without differences by region or pharmacy by resolving the supply-demand imbalance in pharmacies.’ As a result, 5 million 500mg Tylenol will be released on the market. This is the total amount that Johnson & Johnson had been stockpiling for the next year, and this total amount will be released in two phases, 2.4 million and 2.6 million, respectively. Each company may first secure 100 each, and the supply will be avaialbe as early as from the 15th, depending on the pharmacy. 40 wholesalers will oversee the distribution. The Korean Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association divided the pharmacies by region for 40 companies to cover. For example, a pharmacy located in Yeongdeungpo district in Seoul will receive 100 Tylenols from BaekGwang Pharm, which is in charge of the Yeongdeungpo area, even if the pharmacy uses multiple distributors like BaekGwang Pharm, Geo-young, and Yujin Pharm. The order method may also differ by the wholesaler. Some distributors may call the pharmacy or make visits to each pharmacy to distribute Tylenol. “To resolve the issue of pharmacies that works with various distributors, we divided the regions between 40 wholesalers,” explained an official from the Korean Pharmaceuticals Distribution Association. “The necessary amount may differ by the size and situation of each pharmacy, so after fairly distributing 100 to each pharmacy that wants Tylenol, the rest will be left to be ordered at an as-needed basis by each pharmacy.” The MFDS also called on each association to play its part in resolving the Tylenol shortage issue. First, the Korean Pharmacists’ association will inform consumers about the correct use of antipyretic analgesics after vaccination through medication counseling, and continue to conduct a campaign informing the public that all domestically approved acetaminophen products have the same efficacy and effect as Tylenol. The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association and acetaminophen producers will maximize the production volume of their drugs by releasing their inventory by mid-June as well as by mobilizing all capabilities available to adjust the production schedule to expedite supply. MFDS said, “The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and relevant organizations will do the best to supply acetaminophen to the people in need at the right time according to the government's vaccination plan. Also, we will share the supply and demand status with relevant institutions through regular monitoring and immediately provide the necessary administrative support to suppliers to increase production of acetaminophen products.”
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- Ask for Acetaminophen, instead of Tylenol
- by Kang, Shin-Kook Jun 08, 2021 09:12pm
- "If fever or muscle pain occurs after vaccination, ask for Acetaminophen to the pharmacy." As the Tylenol shortage continues, the movement to change public perception begins. Rep. Seo Young-seok of the Democratic Party of Korea visited the Korean Pharmaceutical Association Hall on the morning of the 4th and announced that he would start an SNS challenge with Chairman Kim Dae-up. Chairman Kim Dae-up & Seo Young-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who started SNS challenge Representative Seo said, "The vaccination target is 13 million by the end of this month, and the quarantine authorities' plan is to start vaccinations by July." "The demand for painkillers is expected to surge due to the expansion of vaccinations, and if the stock is low, people will have to visit many pharmacies to buy Tylenol," he said. He said, "With this phenomenon of Tylenol shortage, we need to draw the right public perception of the same active ingredient. There are about 70 generics of the same active ingredient, and I hope it will serve as an opportunity to discuss why there was a phenomenon in which only certain brands, Tylenol, were favored and solutions," he explained the background of the SNS challenge. "The domestic pharmaceutical market is very strange," said Chairman Kim Dae-up. "There are many generics that cannot even be compared to foreign countries, and there are too many items of the same active ingredient as the consignment market." Chairman Kim said, "Tylenol was sold out as the KDCA promoted to take Tylenol after vaccination." "Some pharmacies have to say that Tylenol is out of stock 100 times," he said, criticizing the health authorities' initial response. Chairman Kim said, "The KDCA should be responsible for distributing unofficial note prescriptions and asking vaccination centers to take Tylenol." "I am happy and grateful that Rep. Seo Young-seok joined the movement to change public awareness under such circumstances," he said. He then pointed to Yoon Sun-hee, chairman of the Bucheon Pharmaceutical Association, and Nam In-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, after Suh, who started the first SNS challenge. Chairman Kim named Han Dong-joo, head of the Seoul Pharmaceutical Association, and Cho Sang-il, head of the Incheon Pharmaceutical Association, as SNS challenge runners.
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- Tylenol's sales at convenience stores rose 125% year-on-year
- by Jun 04, 2021 06:06am
- Convenience stores are also benefiting from the shortage of outpatient pharmacies' Tylenol as vaccination begins in earnest.Tylenol sales at convenience stores designated as household medicine rose. Household medicine sold at convenience stores First of all, CU's Tylenol sales increased 125.5% year-on-year. According to sales from May 27 to May 31, when vaccinations for people aged 65 or older began in earnest, it increased 89.9% compared to the previous month (April 26 to 30), and it also increased 68.1% compared to the previous week (May 20 to 24). In the case of Seven-Eleven convenience stores, sales of Tylenol increased 23.3% compared to the previous month, especially sales from the 27th to 30th increased 99.6% from the same period last month. In the case of GS25 convenience stores, Tylenol sales rose 41.9% last month from a year ago and 38.8% compared to the previous month, the survey showed. In some convenience stores, Tylenol is in short supply like pharmacies. "The number of consumers visiting Tylenol has increased recently," said CU convenience store owner in Seoul. Both Tylenol 500mg and Tylenol160 mg are out of stock, he said. "We only have children's syrup in stock at the moment." Meanwhile, the Gyeonggi Pharmaceutical Association criticized the government and the vaccination center's inexperienced administration for causing Tylenol shortage on the 1st and insisted that Tylenol should not be sold at convenience stores for a while as it is time to manage side effects.
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- Korean Tylenol is in stock
- by Jun 04, 2021 06:05am
- "It doesn't have to be original Tylenol." Pharmacists have launched a counterattack in connection with the Tylenol shortage. As Tylenol has been out of stock for months to respond to consumers due to recommendations from vaccination centers and health centers, pharmacists are trying to immediately inform them of fever and painkillers. They started to improve consumer awareness by spreading the message that It doesn't have to be original Tylenol through pharmacies and SNS. First of all, pharmacist Lee Jung-chul, the author of "Alssulshinyak" told by dispensing brothers, recently posted a message on blogs and YouTube saying, "You don't have to stick to Tylenol after the vaccine against COVID-19." The pharmacist recognizes that "the painkillers available after COVID-19 vaccine are Tylenol unconditionally, but there is no need to insist on Tylenol." Tylenol is just one of many drugs made of Acetaminophen, and said, "There are many drugs made of the same Acetaminophen even if they are not Tylenol." Since Tylenol has become an issue due to its high recognition of many drugs with Acetaminophen, there is no problem in taking Acetaminophen, the same active ingredient as Tylenol, in situations where Tylenol is not easy to obtain. "About 10 to 20 consumers a day visit and ask for Tylenol," said pharmacist Lee Jung-chul. "It doesn't matter if it's Acetaminophen, but if patients don't understand or if the media or hospitals nominate Tylenol, they often think they can't do other drugs," he said. "I'm filming a video out of frustration, and I hope the message will be shared widely." The pharmacist explained, "In fact, the number of cases where people accept and buy other products is increasing if they use the 'Ask a Pharmacist' card news produced by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association." Tylenol-related notice attached to the entrance of a pharmacy in Incheon A pharmacist in Incheon recently attached a sign that Tylenol is out of stock and there's a stock of same active ingredient to the entrance of a pharmacy and a consultation desk. Tylenol is Acetaminophen formulations made by Janssen, a foreign company, under the notice, "If you take fever and painkillers after the COVD-19 vaccine, take Acetaminophen-based medicine." There are 80 items such as Suspen, Tramol, Tacenol, Nasphen, and Setopen," a notice said. The pharmacist said, "When asked repeatedly by consumers if they had Tylenol in stock all day, the voices of working pharmacists were hoarse. "It was like the public mask crisis in the past," he said. "We changed our sales strategy because of the release of good domestic drugs." In addition, pharmacists who run SNS channels such as blogs, Instagram, and YouTube are also participating in "Knowing About Acetaminophen Right away," explaining the types of Acetaminophen, how to take it, and alternatives. The Korean Pharmaceutical Association and the MFDS urgently produced posters and distributed them to pharmacies about the ridiculous situation of trying to buy only Tylenol at pharmacies despite the presence of a number of Acetaminophenes. Posters distributed by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association & the MFDS The Korean Pharmaceutical Association and the MFDS posted a poster saying, 'Relax if some items are out of stock. There are about 70 Acetaminophen formulations approved by the MFDS. Talk to a pharmacist' in the message.
