Gov¡¯t says not to yield further to doctors

With the second doctors¡¯ strike entering its fourth day, the medical sector reportedly asked the government to revise the pharmaceutical law and accelerate its schedule to raise insurance fees. However, the government refused to give any more ground, signaling trouble ahead for talks between the two sides on a solution to the walkout.

The ad hoc "Emergency Sub-committee of Joint Representatives," Monday came out of a meeting with a list of requests that were put before the government in negotiations. The medical sector is asking for the pharmaceutical law to be revised so that sale of drugs in individual units is completely banned. It also called for doctors be allowed to prescribe and sell drugs through the end of the year and medical insurance fees to be raised to reflect real prices as soon as possible. The government refused the second demand, saying that such a measure would run directly counter to the intent of medical reform. The government added that it will revise the pharmaceutical law only according to the results of a study by the evaluation committee.

The government announced its stance coming out of a related ministers` meeting held at the Government Complex in Kwanghwamun. Prime Minister Lee Han-Dong presided at the meeting, at which the officials affirmed that the government will deal sternly with the doctors if they do not return to their jobs soon.

Meanwhile, specialist and post-residency fellow doctors maintained their hard line stance, refusing any form of negotiation with the government unless it released those arrested or on the wanted list. The hard line group of doctors is also demanding that the government apologize for the use of force during the August 12 rally held at Yonsei University in Seoul, causing observers to worry that the strike may be prolonged.