MFDS appoints first private chairman of Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee to enhance expertise

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has reorganized the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee by appointing a private expert as the chairperson for the first time.

On the 8th, the MFDS announced that, as the term of the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee members ended on the 6th, it held the first appointment ceremony for the private chairperson under the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.

According to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act revised in July 2021, the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee is composed of up to 300 members, including two chairpersons and two vice-chairpersons. The chairpersons are jointly held by the MFDS Vice Minister and a private member appointed by the MFDS Minister. Previously, the committee was composed of up to 100 members, including one chairperson and two vice-chairpersons.

Accordingly, Professor Moon Ae-ri of the College of Pharmacy at Duksung Women's University was appointed as the first private chairperson of the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee. The private chairperson is appointed by the MFDS Minister from among the appointed members, considering their pharmaceutical insight, expertise, and social reputation.

Chairperson Moon graduated from the Department of Pharmacy at Seoul National University and earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Iowa State University Graduate School. She served as the president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association from 2017 to 2018. Her term lasts until August 7, 2024.

The MFDS Vice Minister, who jointly serves as chairperson, is currently vacant, and the Planning and Coordination Officer is acting in the role.

Additionally, on this day, the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee expanded its membership from the previous 99 to 267 members. The number of subcommittees remains at five, but the 34 smaller subcommittees were consolidated and reorganized into 26.

MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung stated, "With cooperation between the public and private sectors and strengthened expertise, the newly reorganized Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee is expected to enhance the level of deliberation on the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals and lead policies and systems in the pharmaceutical field that contribute to the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry."

Moon Aeri, Chairperson of the Central Pharmaceutical Affairs Deliberation Committee's Private Sector Members (Professor, College of Pharmacy, Duksung Women's University).