Emphasizing Implementation of Policy Core 'Safety, Consideration, Growth, Innovation' in New Year's Address
Strict Management of Obesity Drug Distribution... Prevention of Medical Narcotics Abuse
Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, announced plans to strengthen food and drug safety in the new year and support the growth of related industries.
In her New Year's address on the 1st, Commissioner Oh stated, "Environmental changes such as serious demographic shifts like entering a super-aged society, technological advancements including artificial intelligence (AI), and increasing uncertainties in foreign trade will continuously present new policy demands and require solutions this year as well," adding, "We will implement four key policy pillars?safety, consideration, growth, and innovation?to make food and drug safety a part of everyday life."
She promised to firmly establish the foundation of safety first. Commissioner Oh explained, "In response to changes in the distribution environment, we will thoroughly monitor the domestic online market and conduct strict inspections of illegal overseas direct purchases. We will also strictly manage items of public interest such as obesity treatments and tattoo dyes," and added, "To prevent the misuse of medical narcotics, we plan to expand the scope of prescription and medication history verification."
At the same time, support will be provided for the growth and global expansion of Korea's food and drug industry. Commissioner Oh pledged, "Through the enforcement of the Digital Medical Devices Act and the 'Product Commercialization Guide Linkage,' we will provide strategic regulatory support from the development to commercialization of innovative products," and promised, "By hosting international symposiums on AI medical products, engaging in multilateral pharmaceutical regulatory cooperation, and conducting joint approvals and reviews with the European Medicines Agency, we will become a strong ally in the global expansion of our industry."
Administrative procedures related to food and drugs will also be improved. Commissioner Oh said, "We will implement smart public administrative services by utilizing digital technologies such as AI for food-related civil consultations, streamlining import inspections for sanitary products, and issuing e-test reports," and added, "We will innovate the approval and review system for the rapid market entry of new drugs and new technology medical devices and strengthen review expertise."
To ensure a safe daily life accessible to all, support for the social reintegration of drug addiction patients will be provided through initiatives such as the 'One Step Project.' Previously, in October, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety completed the installation of 17 nationwide 'Together One Step Centers,' which serve as core infrastructure for social rehabilitation of narcotics addiction. Commissioner Oh added, "We will build a stable medical product supply chain to expand treatment opportunities for patients and continuously improve the convenience of food and drug safety information for socially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled."
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