Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Update Pharmaceuticals on Ships

by Lee Eunjoo

Published 12 Feb.2024 17:18(KST)

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 12th that it has revised the "Standards for the Stocking of Medicines Onboard" and has been enforcing it since February 8th to update the list of medicine ingredients onboard ships in accordance with international standards and to strengthen the management of onboard medicines.

Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Under the "Seafarers Act," the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has established and enforced the "Standards for the Stocking of Medicines Onboard," which regulate the types and usage of medicines used on ships. The ministry updated the existing list of medicine ingredients required onboard ships to align with international standards through consultations with experts and related organizations. In particular, medicine ingredients that have recently been discontinued or have insufficient efficacy were replaced with superior ingredients selected considering the possibility of side effects and ease of use onboard ships.

Additionally, to prevent misuse and abuse of medicines, the ministry imposed management obligations for medicines stocked onboard and strengthened medicine management through measures such as stocking medicine instructions and recording standard medical reports when administering medicines. Minister Kang Do-hyung of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "To ensure the healthy and safe navigation of seafarers, the government will continue to provide support measures such as the existing 'Maritime Remote Medical Support Service' and will continuously update standards like the 'Standards for the Stocking of Medicines Onboard.'"