[Pharmaceutical Distribution Mystery] ③ Medicines become 'black box' once they pass the pharmacy counter... Why can't we track them with serial numbers?

South Korea is grappling with a stark contradiction in its pharmaceutical sector: the uncontrolled illegal distribution of anesthetics and narcotics coexists with a severe shortage of essential children's fever reducers. This dual crisis highlights deep-seated issues within the nation's medicine supply chain.

Industry insiders and experts identify a critical lack of transparency as the core problem. While medicines are produced, they often vanish before reaching patients. This phenomenon occurs despite efforts to increase production, pointing to systemic inefficiencies and potential manipulation within the distribution network.

The complexity is amplified by the presence of over 3,500 companies involved in pharmaceutical distribution. This fragmented landscape creates bottlenecks and makes it difficult to track medicines effectively. The result is an ironic situation where medicines are unavailable on the ground, even when manufacturers ramp up supply, underscoring the urgent need for reform in how drugs are managed and distributed.