WITLife #41: Drugs for all!
Japan Trends, JETAA Chapters, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized, WIT Life 
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Starting today in Japan, as a result of loosening of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, consumers will be able to purchase nonprescription drugs at convenience stores and supermarkets. With this deregulation, conbini and supermarket chain operators will be allowed to sell most nonprescription products such as cold and stomach medicine at outlets staffed with registered sales clerks.
Currently, consumers can only buy nonprescription products at drug stores where pharmacists are in attendance, but the legal change will allow consumers to buy such drugs at conbini around the clock. A conbini operator senior official said that the new rules will enable consumers to purchase almost all necessary nonprescription products without going to pharmacies or drug stores. Although seemingly yet another way (on top of bill paying and dry cleaning services) that conbini are living up to their name in providing one-stop shopping, some consumers have their doubts. A middle-aged woman featured on the news wondered, “If I take the wrong medicine, who will be responsible?”
Seven-Eleven Japan President Ryuichi Isaka commented that the new rules provide ‘‘a business opportunity.’’ Beginning in June, Seven-Eleven plans to sell nonprescription drugs at some stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area by teaming up with drug store chain operator Ain Pharmaciez Inc. Smaller rival conbini operator Family Mart is also scheduled to start selling nonprescription products available for purchase 24 hours. Supermarket chain operator Aeon plans to start selling such drugs next Monday under its own low-priced brand (private brand or PB) at drug stores under its umbrella.
However, the policy varies for brick-and-mortar and online drug business. Under the new rules, sales of nonprescription drugs on the Internet will be prohibited and some Internet drug sellers have voiced opposition, seeking a legal battle with the government. In the coming days we will see how issues such as personal responsibility and online regulations play out in this new arena.
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