Ministry of Health and Welfare Discusses Drug Shortages and Price Increases... Meeting with Related Agencies

On the 11th, the government held a meeting with related organizations and groups to discuss countermeasures regarding recent issues such as a series of drug shortages and price increases of over-the-counter medicines.

Pharmacy Street, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The meeting, chaired by Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was attended by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, the Korea Pharmaceutical Distribution Association, the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, the Korean Society of Hospital Pharmacists, and the Drug Management Comprehensive Information Center.

At the meeting, they discussed the progress of the 'Public-Private Response Council for Drug Supply Instability,' which was formed to address drug shortage issues raised by the pharmaceutical industry and others, as well as the current status and causes of drug supply instability felt on the ground, and possible system improvements. They also requested companies to make voluntary efforts so that recent price increases of over-the-counter medicines do not become a significant burden on the public.

Vice Minister Park said, "Going forward, through the council and other channels, we will faithfully collect opinions from industry sites and experts, conduct a thorough analysis of the drug shortage situation, and prepare systematic countermeasures such as system improvements and information system maintenance for supply and demand management of drugs at risk of shortage."

He added, "Resolving drug supply issues requires active cooperation not only from the government but also from all the institutions present here, so I ask for your active cooperation in establishing and implementing government policies through the council."

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