Extraordinary General Meeting Held, Resolution Adopted
Proposal to Form Emergency Response Committee Rejected
The Korean Medical Association declared on October 25 that it would make every effort to block the implementation of generic prescriptions, the authorization of X-ray use by Korean medicine doctors, and the reform of the specimen testing consignment system.
On this day, the association held an extraordinary general meeting of delegates at its headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and stated, "We fully reject all attempts that undermine the public's right to health," calling for the withdrawal and cancellation of these bills and related proposals.
In its resolution, the association argued, "Mandating generic prescriptions is an irresponsible experiment that puts patients' lives at risk," and "Allowing Korean medicine doctors to use X-rays would be catastrophic for the licensing system." It also stated, "Distorted implementation of the specimen consignment notification will disrupt the essential medical system."
Generic prescription refers to the practice where doctors prescribe medications by their active ingredient rather than by brand name, allowing pharmacists to choose one of the drugs containing that ingredient. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is currently considering introducing generic prescriptions only for essential medicines with unstable supply.
Regarding the authorization of X-ray use by Korean medicine doctors, the issue has gained traction after ruling party lawmakers recently proposed an amendment to the Medical Service Act to allow it.
Additionally, the government is pushing to abolish the consignment management fee paid to consigned testing institutions (clinics and hospitals) and to reform the system so that both consigned and entrusted institutions (testing centers) bill separately for testing costs.
The association referred to these policies as "the three major evil laws and practices that will lead to the collapse of healthcare," and stated, "We will mobilize every available means and method to block them, and will not back down without a successful outcome."
However, a proposal to establish a separate emergency response committee for the protest was voted down on this day. Instead, the association decided to continue the protest under the current executive leadership.
Kim Taekwoo, president of the association, said, "If the government and the National Assembly push ahead with legislation and policies that distort the essence of healthcare, undermine the boundaries of professional licenses, and destroy the principles of the separation of prescribing and dispensing, while abandoning cooperation and coexistence with the medical community, we will not hesitate to take strong action."
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