Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Delivery Pharmacies Under Supervision for Potential Legal Violations... Need for Agreement on Alternative Dispensing"

Exterior view of a pharmacy in Seoul (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that it is managing and supervising pharmacies dedicated to non-face-to-face dispensing and delivery in cooperation with local health centers to prevent violations of current laws, and additional measures can be taken if necessary.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare made this announcement after receiving a proposal for active measures against delivery pharmacies from the Korea Pharmaceutical Association during the 32nd 'Health and Medical Development Council' meeting held with six medical organizations at the International Electronics Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

At the meeting, the Korea Pharmaceutical Association claimed that delivery pharmacies have issues such as "dispensing by unqualified personnel, lack of hygiene management, and absence of medication guidance." In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that it is managing and supervising cases that may violate current laws through administrative guidance in cooperation with local health centers. They also mentioned that they will review specific reported cases and provide additional guidance if further measures are necessary.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare expressed a cautious stance regarding alternative dispensing of pharmaceuticals, stating that social consensus is needed. The Korea Pharmaceutical Association requested a method that allows alternative dispensing without prior notification, citing ongoing shortages of prescribed medicines and the need to prepare for a resurgence of COVID-19 in the second half of the year by changing prescription forms to include new items eligible for alternative dispensing.

On the other hand, the Korean Medical Association expressed the opinion that alternative dispensing requires careful discussion as it concerns the principle of separation of dispensing and prescribing and the lives of the public.

Regarding this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare responded, "Omitting the post-notification procedure requires an amendment to the Pharmacists Act and is an important issue related to the separation of dispensing and prescribing, so social consensus is necessary." They added that issues related to drug shortages will be comprehensively discussed later through the Pharmaceutical Agreement Council (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Pharmaceutical Association).