As instability in the supply of medical devices such as syringes has grown due to the fallout from the Middle East war, the government is moving to block hoarding of essential medical supplies.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy announced that, starting on the 14th, it will implement the ‘Notice on the Prohibition of Hoarding of Syringes and Needles, etc.’

This measure was prepared to preemptively prevent disruption in clinical settings as concerns spread over potential supply issues for medical consumables made from petrochemical products in the wake of the Middle East war. Syringes and needles currently used in medical settings depend on petrochemical feedstocks and are vulnerable to supply chain shocks.

Under the notice, manufacturers or sellers of syringes and needles may not hold for five days or more quantities exceeding 150% of their average monthly sales in 2025. Acts of refusing to sell without just cause are also strictly prohibited.

A sales restriction has also been introduced to curb abnormal distribution. It is prohibited for monthly sales to exceed 110% of last year’s average monthly sales, or to sell to the same buyer in excess of the average monthly sales for December 2025~February 2026. The intent is to break the vicious cycle in which anxiety driven by hoarding worsens shortages on the ground.

To ensure the effectiveness of the notice, the government will establish and operate a ‘Hoarding Reporting Center’ at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In addition, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and each local government will form joint inspection teams to strengthen on-site enforcement.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy stated, “Going forward, to ensure that patients in medical settings do not suffer harm due to hoarding of syringes and needles, we will rigorously manage hoarding in cooperation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and local governments”.