Medicine pouches were brought in from Japan during the period of Japanese rule. The practice of using them originated in the countryside, where medical resources were undeveloped and transportation was inconvenient. Sales representatives would leave a supply of medicinal products from pharmaceutical companies in people's homes or with retailers, making regular rounds to collect payment and replenish stocks.
日治時期從日本引進的「寄藥包」，源於早期鄉下醫療資源匱乏，交通不便，於是發展出業務員向藥廠批發成藥，然後深入家庭，先將一定數量的藥品寄放在消費者或固定銷售者家中，再定期依實際使用的數量結帳補貨。