[2020 National Audit] Kim Jin-moon, CEO of Sinseong Pharmaceuticals, "Apologies for Concern Caused by Room Temperature Exposed Vaccines"

Kim Jin-moon, CEO of Shinseong Pharmaceutical, is appearing as a witness at the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyun-ui Cho] Kim Jin-moon, CEO of Sinseong Pharmaceutical, expressed sincere apologies on the 8th regarding the exposure of influenza (flu) vaccines to room temperature during distribution.

Kim appeared as a witness at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit on the same day and said in response to a question from Jeon Bong-min, a member of the People Power Party, "We regret causing concern due to the flu vaccine distribution issue."

Rep. Jeon asked, "Unlike other vaccines that were delivered in Styrofoam packaging, why were the national procurement flu vaccines distributed in cardboard boxes?"

In response, Kim explained, "When transporting inactivated vaccines by refrigerated vehicles, packaging them in cardboard boxes does not violate the law," adding, "Live vaccines are packaged and delivered in Styrofoam." The flu vaccine involved in the recent room temperature exposure controversy is an inactivated vaccine.

He further stated, "In fact, vaccine manufacturers also package vaccines in cardboard boxes when sending them to wholesalers," but promised, "We will use Styrofoam packaging going forward."

Regarding the question, "What was the secret to Sinseong Pharmaceutical being the only company to receive a supply commitment from the vaccine manufacturer?" Kim replied, "Each manufacturer has its own evaluation criteria, and it seems Sinseong Pharmaceutical met those standards. Although this is our first government bid, we have supplied vaccines to general hospitals."

On why the bid amount was the same as that of the affiliated company 'Sinseong New Pharm,' he answered, "There is a recommended base price, and if you go below that, you cannot secure supply," adding, "We did not try to get a higher amount."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.