New social distancing rules will be applied from next month. The restrictions set on private gatherings will be eased, and the operating hours of multi-use facilities will also be extended. The pharmaceutical industry has its eyes on whether the outpatient prescription market, which has contracted due to a decrease in outdoor activities, will take a turn for the better under the new regulations.

According to the pharmaceutical research institution UBIST on the 21st, outpatient prescription in May this year was around 1.15 trillion won, down 1.1% YoY. This is a 10.4% fall compared to the market’s performance in May 2 years ago. This downward trend has been continuing since last month, as outpatient prescri