National Institute for Korean Medicine Development Offers One-on-One Customized Consulting for External Herbal Dispensaries

Certification Process Was Challenging to Obtain and Maintain
Meeting and Briefing Session Scheduled for Early July

The National Institute for Korean Medicine Development will provide customized consulting services in collaboration with the Korea Association of External Herbal Dispensaries to encourage participation in the certification of external herbal dispensaries.

The certification system for external herbal dispensaries was introduced in 2018 to establish a safety management system for prescribed herbal medicines. Since then, large-scale external herbal dispensaries nationwide have participated, and currently, 19 facilities have been certified.

National Institute for Korean Medicine Development

Until now, obtaining certification for an external herbal dispensary has required investment and preparation across various stages, including facilities, personnel, and processes related to preparation and hygiene.

Additionally, certified external herbal dispensaries have faced significant challenges, such as undergoing rigorous annual interim evaluations (post-management processes).

To address these challenges, the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development and the Korea Association of External Herbal Dispensaries have established ongoing customized consulting services to expand participation in the evaluation and certification system and to provide practical support for post-management.

First, consulting will be offered on all aspects of the evaluation and certification process, including facility requirements such as building blueprints and movement flow at the installation stage of external herbal dispensaries, as well as guidance on document preparation and necessary forms.

In addition, the plan is to increase participation in the certification system by providing various regulatory form collections, key guideline manuals for general herbal medicines, and other essential documents and case studies required for evaluation and certification.

Jung Changhyun, President of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, stated, "Our institution not only offers various support measures and consulting to assist external herbal dispensaries in participating in the certification system, but also provides opportunities to directly observe and experience certified dispensaries in the field. We encourage active participation in the upcoming meeting and briefing session for external herbal dispensaries scheduled for early July."

For inquiries regarding consulting for the evaluation and certification system for external herbal dispensaries or to apply for the site visit program, please contact the Medical Support Center at the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development.