The 3rd Pharm-Expo was held at BEXCO in Busan on last June 11th and 12th. It is a huge event which combines a seminar and expo and provides brand-new information on medical products and health foods to both of pharmacists and general public.

In this Pharm-Expo, more than 150 booths were installed by about 70 pharmaceutical companies and their medical products, functional foods, nutritional supplements, auto pharmacy management system, high-tech medical supplies such as sphygmomanometers and blood glucose meters were exhibited.

In the opening ceremony of the event on June 11th, Korean Pharmaceutical Association President, Kim Gu emphasized that the Pharm-Expo has activated Korean drug markets and became an event to improve national health and added, "It is necessary to seek all our possible means to resolve the issues related to supermarket sales of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs."

Congressmen participants who are pharmacists also agreed that only licensed pharmacists should be allowed to sell OTC drugs and said that they will do their best to have the issue resolved.

'Nanta' performance prepared by developmental disabilities at the Nasaham Welfare Center was offered as an opening celebration and received a big round of applause from the audience.

On the second day of the event, keynote lectures by pharmaceutical professional, paper presentations and management seminars by pharmaceutical companies were provided. The seminars regarding 14 different topics such as ¡®Clear understanding of multi-vitamins¡¯, ¡®Therapy with oriental medicines and yeasts¡¯, ¡®Aroma therapy in pharmacy¡¯, ¡®Skin care¡¯, ¡®Next-generation pharmacy management system¡¯ were offered in seven rooms simultaneously, thus participants were able to attend the ones related to the issues they are interested in.

This event was organized by Korean Pharmaceutical Association News in 2009 and the first and second events were held in Seoul. However, in this year, it was first held in Busan by close cooperation among pharmacists working in Busan, Ulsan, Daegu and Gyeongsang province areas. Thus, it provided a good learning opportunity to the pharmacists who have not been able to attend the event due to remoteness and the lack of time.