Core Viewpoint - The National Healthcare Security Administration has identified widespread issues of pharmacists' licenses being misused or "hired out" across 24 provinces, involving 23,997 retail pharmacies and 9,563 pharmacists, which undermines the integrity of the pharmaceutical retail industry [1][2] Group 1: Industry Issues - The practice of "hired licenses" leads to a lack of qualified pharmacists on-site, resulting in inadequate patient guidance regarding medication use, which poses risks to patient safety [1] - The competition is skewed as legitimate pharmacies incur higher costs to employ qualified pharmacists, while those engaging in "hired licenses" can reduce labor costs and gain an unfair advantage [1][2] - The phenomenon of "bad money driving out good" could potentially harm the entire pharmaceutical retail sector if not addressed [1] Group 2: Regulatory Challenges - Despite ongoing efforts to combat the "hired license" issue, it persists due to the financial incentives for pharmacies to avoid hiring qualified professionals [2] - As of the end of 2024, there are 814,283 registered pharmacists in China, highlighting a significant demand for "hired licenses" in relation to the increasing number of pharmacies [2] - Effective regulation requires a combination of technological advancements and enhanced industry incentives to elevate the value of licensed pharmacists and reduce the profit motive behind "hired licenses" [2]