What are Korean docs asking for gov`t?

One month since the new health care system upheaval began, the medical sector announced its demands on Thursday regarding the improvement of the medical system and amendments to pharmaceutical laws. It is expected that negotiations between the government and medical sector will be revived.

A 10-member emergency joint group comprised of all functional segments of the medical sector held a press conference at the KMA building and disclosed a number of demands. They included the limitation of the capacity of pharmacists to the preparation of non-prescription medicines and the sale of medical products, the immediate disbursement of medical insurance national support funds of 5.3 trillion won (50% of medical insurance finances) and a 70% reduction to the current medical school student quota.

In addition, to prevent non-prescribed preparations, the KMA said the minimum packaging unit for general medical products excluding insecticides adhering to usage standards should be set at 7 days (previously 30 days was proposed). It also called for the reclassification of prescription, non-prescription and OTC drugs, the sale of safe medicines such as Tylenol to be permitted in supermarkets and convenience stores, and the retraction of the 5-month grace period given to pharmacies for the sale of medicines in single units.

Furthermore, for health products recognized to be biologically equivalent and that have no medicinal effects, alternative preparation can be carried out prior to a doctor`s approval, but this has to be reported to a doctor within 24 hours. In the case of alternative preparations made without prior approval, all responsibility has to be borne by the pharmacist.

For commercial medical products, the regional KMA will make designations and then inform the KPA, and if a pharmacist does not have the item, a penalty will be levied. Examination and insurance fees should be raised to OECD levels. Moreover, the interim advisory organization, the ad-hoc committee on the health and medical development, which is under the direct control of the Prime Minister, should become a permanent body under the President`s control with doctors recommended by KMA making up more than 50% of the representatives.

Asides from the above items, the KMA also sought a guarantee of autonomy for the Health Insurance Review Agency, improved treatment of majority of clinics, stringent actions on substandard medical schools and the establishment of a social welfare and medical policy department within the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The ministry revealed that no reply can be given to the demands made by the medical sector as it was a unilateral matter. The details of the demands are to be examined and efforts will be made to set up meetings between relevant parties.

Jung Young-Gwan yongari@donga.com