Core Viewpoint - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has initiated a crackdown on "shadow pharmacists" in retail pharmacies, following the release of an announcement that highlights the prevalence of fraudulent practices involving pharmacists' credentials [1][2]. Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The NHSA has conducted a review of medical insurance settlement data from retail pharmacies since April, identifying instances where pharmacists' names appear across multiple pharmacies, indicating potential credential fraud or "hanging certificates" [1][2]. - The announcement outlines that the NHSA will employ various methods, including routine inspections, special checks, and data analysis, to monitor the compliance of pharmacists in retail pharmacies [2][5]. - A total of 24 provinces, nearly 24,000 retail pharmacies, and approximately 9,500 pharmacists are involved in the investigation of credential fraud [2][3]. Group 2: Compliance Requirements - Retail pharmacies are required to have at least one licensed pharmacist on staff, who must be registered at the pharmacy's location and provide continuous pharmaceutical services [2][5]. - The NHSA has mandated that pharmacists conduct self-checks and report any unauthorized use of their credentials to local healthcare authorities [4][5]. Group 3: Findings and Statistics - The investigation revealed three main types of violations: cross-province practices, inter-city practices, and intra-city practices, affecting thousands of pharmacies and pharmacists across multiple provinces [3]. - Notably, 293 pharmacists were found to have credentials associated with over 10 pharmacies, with one pharmacist linked to as many as 198 pharmacies [3][6]. Group 4: Future Directions - The NHSA is expected to intensify its enforcement efforts as the transition period for the "differentiated pharmacist allocation" policy approaches its conclusion in 2025 [6][7]. - The use of advanced technologies such as 5G and big data is being encouraged to enhance the monitoring of pharmacists' compliance and improve the quality of pharmaceutical services [7].