Japanese Supermarkets Discount OTC Drugs To Compete With Drug Stores
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
Japan's new Pharmaceutical Affairs Law took effect June 1. According to the law, supermarkets also become eligible to sell Class II over-the-counter drugs, provided there are registered sellers on site. Some major chain stores such as Ito Yokado started marking down many OTC drug items by as much as 10-20 percent, and saw sales increase by 30 percent. To fight back, drug stores have increased their business hours and set up mobile sales stands to attract customers. (Click here for more - Japanese language