Meeting with Pharmaceutical Industry, O Yu-kyung, MFDS Commissioner: "Full Support to Ensure Easy Purchase of Cold Medicine"

Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is inspecting the production facilities at Chong Kun Dang's Cheonan factory on the 5th.
[Photo by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid concerns over domestic cold medicine supply instability, such as antipyretic analgesics, due to the spread of COVID-19 in China, Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, met with manufacturers and importers of acetaminophen formulations and promised support.

On the 5th, Commissioner Oh visited Chongkundang's Cheonan plant in Cheonan City, Chungnam Province, stating, "In the situation of COVID-19 resurgence, we will spare no effort and provide all possible support to ensure that anyone in the nation can purchase acetaminophen-containing medicines and other cold remedies without inconvenience when needed."

The meeting was attended by nine pharmaceutical companies manufacturing and importing acetaminophen (650 mg) for compounding, which are subject to emergency production and import orders, as well as the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association.

At the meeting, the pharmaceutical industry requested support such as ▲ expedited administrative procedures including approval for changes like adding additional active ingredient manufacturers and registration of active pharmaceutical ingredients to ensure stable supply of raw materials ▲ pre-application of regulatory improvements promoted by the government, such as "relaxation of the scope of submission materials when changing the ingredient manufacturer."

Commissioner Oh said, "I appreciate the industry's efforts to ensure a stable supply of cold medicines during these difficult times due to COVID-19," adding, "The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will also do its best to cooperate closely with the industry and related organizations and provide necessary institutional improvements and administrative support."

Commissioner Oh also visited the production site to encourage employees and requested continued cooperation. He said, "We are well aware of the efforts of company officials who have recently switched to in-house production to expand the production volume of acetaminophen-containing medicines and are focusing supply on pharmacies with unstable supply, striving for stable supply. Please continue to maintain stable production and strengthen quality control so that safe and effective medicines such as antipyretics, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory cold medicines can be supplied to all citizens in need at any time."