Kim Gang-rip, Director of MFDS, Holds Meeting with Acetaminophen Manufacturers: "Actively Sharing Supply Status"

Visit to Bukwang Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Site in Ansan, Gyeonggi

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Kim Kang-rip, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, held a meeting on the 23rd with manufacturers of the antipyretic analgesic 'Acetaminophen preparations,' whose demand surged due to the increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates, and visited the manufacturing site of Bukwang Pharmaceutical located in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.

The meeting and site visit were conducted as part of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's initiative for the 'Acetaminophen Preparation Supply Stabilization Plan,' promoted together with the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, and Korea Pharmaceutical Distribution Association. It was an opportunity to listen to industry difficulties and discuss increasing production with manufacturers.

At the meeting, manufacturers requested expedited approval changes for adding additional active ingredient manufacturers and packaging processes to enable rapid production increases, as well as information sharing for monitoring product production, distribution, and inventory levels.

Commissioner Kim emphasized, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will actively share the supply status of acetaminophen preparations with related organizations and will spare no administrative support to expand production." Following the meeting, Commissioner Kim visited Bukwang Pharmaceutical's acetaminophen preparation production site and urged, "Please strive to increase production and manage quality so that safe and effective products can be supplied at the appropriate time according to the national vaccination plan."

Currently, a total of 18 companies are participating in the consumer acetaminophen preparation supply stabilization plan promoted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.