Nationally Recognized 'Specialist Pharmacist' Legalized... Confusion Over Implementation Plans

Detailed Eligibility Criteria Not Established in Ministry of Health and Welfare Ordinance
Pharmacist Community Protests Amid Internal Review

Although the nationally recognized specialist pharmacist system has been officially introduced, confusion is increasing as detailed implementation plans have not been finalized. Since the enforcement rules that regulate the curriculum, qualification exam methods, and application procedures have not been established, it is expected to take some time before the final plan is released.

Pharmacy stock photo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 11th, the presidential decree titled "Regulations on the Recognition of Specialist Pharmacists’ Qualifications," which implements the specialist pharmacist system at the national level, was officially enforced on the 8th. The specialist pharmacist system refers to pharmacists who have recognized qualifications in specific fields, similar to medical specialists such as doctors, dentists, and oriental medicine doctors. The Korean Society of Hospital Pharmacists, which had independently operated a specialist pharmacist system prior to national recognition, defined specialist pharmacists as "clinical pharmacists who are proficient in their specialized fields and possess more professional qualities and abilities regarding pharmacotherapy to contribute to treatment outcomes and patient health improvement."

The newly enforced regulations initially presented nine specialist pharmacist specialties: endocrinology, geriatrics, pediatrics, cardiovascular, infectious diseases, parenteral nutrition, organ transplantation, oncology, and critical care. Considering changes in the healthcare environment, the regulations allow for the addition of specialties by specifying subjects in subordinate legislation, namely the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s enforcement rules. The regulations also include an overview of the curriculum, qualification recognition, and certificate issuance that pharmacists aspiring to become specialist pharmacists must undergo.

However, the enforcement rules detailing specific qualification recognition procedures?such as eligibility, application procedures, exam subjects, and institutions recognizing practical experience?have not yet been established. Although the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a draft of the "Regulations on the Recognition of Specialist Pharmacists’ Qualifications" in January, it was not enacted due to opposition from the pharmacist community until the higher-level law was officially enforced. Despite the legalization of the specialist pharmacist system, the situation currently prevents the selection of specialist pharmacists.

The pharmacist community points out that the existing draft rules significantly restrict access to becoming a specialist pharmacist. The draft limits specialist pharmacist training institutions to hospital-level medical institutions, making it practically impossible for industrial pharmacists working in community pharmacies or pharmaceutical companies to become specialist pharmacists. The Korean Pharmaceutical Association protested, stating, "The draft contains provisions that completely block all pharmacists except those working in general hospitals from obtaining specialist pharmacist qualifications. This is blatant discrimination, as it makes it impossible for community pharmacy pharmacists, industrial pharmacists, and even pharmacists working in small to medium-sized hospitals and clinics to become specialist pharmacists."

As the controversy continues, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has begun an internal review of the enforcement rules. Since discussions with related organizations and multifaceted reviews are necessary, it is expected to take about one to two more months. If the rules containing detailed implementation plans are enacted, the first nationally recognized specialist pharmacist of the year could emerge. A ministry official stated, "Various opinions were raised during the legislative notice period, and we are reviewing them internally. It will not extend beyond this year."

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