[Reporter's View] GOV takes measures to stabilize supply

The government implements aggressive measures to stabilize drug supply

To resolve the issue of medicines supply instability, the government has announced a plan to conduct a field investigation of pharmacies and hospitals that engage in stockpiling of drugs, in collaboration with a local government starting in January.

 

This is the government’s first active involvement in checking nursing homes and taking administrative measures.

 

In March of last year, a public-private consultative body was established, comprised of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the Korean Medical Association, Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA), the Korea Pharmaceutical Distribution Association (KPDA), the Korean Society of Health-system Pharmacists.

 

The decision to investigate stockpiling in nursing homes was made during a meeting held in September last year.

 

The items to be investigated include Sam Il’s ‘Sudafed tab.’ and Sama Pharm’s ‘Setopen suspension,’ and the criteria for categorizing purchases as stockpiling have been defined as cases where the claimed amount (usage) was less than 25% after purchasing.

 

Notably, there have been 40 instances where medical institutions have acquired cold medicines with 0% recorded usage.

 

In response, the government has chosen to examine these cases during the field investigation to see if indeed they were stockpiling.

 

However, a few pharmacies have criticized the government for intervening with purchasing practices ahead of prescription.

 

According to the government, drug shortages have historically been a recurring issue in many countries, regardless of their income levels.

 

However, when addressing medicines of supply instability, such as common cold medicines, which are non-essential but can cause inconvenience when unavailable during the simultaneous outbreak of various respiratory diseases, even with increased production by pharmaceutical companies, government intervention may become necessary.

 

Until now, several measures have been implemented to address the supply shortage.

 

For six ingredients such as 'acetaminophen' and 'pseudoephedrine,' the government raised drug prices conditionally, and for twelve ingredients such as 'mifepristone' and 'cefpodoxime proxetil,' pharmaceutical companies were encouraged for production and provided with administrative support for raw materials.

 

Following their request for cooperation in prescribing alternative medications to enhance demand management and minimize distribution disparities while ensuring fair access to drugs, the government has launched an investigation into stockpiling practices.

 

In November last year, the list of national essential medicines was expanded to include seven products with six ingredients for pediatric drugs, including acetaminophen syrup.

 

Over the past year, various measures, including the establishment of a public-private consultative body, have been prepared for drug supply stabilization.

 

This year, taking suggestions from the meeting, it is crucial to establish a system aimed at preventing drug shortages.

 

In addition, there should be a discussion about a follow-up plan.

 

Waiting until major disruptions in drug supply occur would be too late.

 

It appears that frequent surveys of supply shortages of drugs may be needed.

 

Starting this year, the government plans to raise the prices of unprofitable drugs, extending a measure that was initially introduced last year for supply shortages of drugs.

 

There is an expectation that these various measures will function effectively to address the drug supply issue.

 

This year, we should see a decrease in instances where people ‘hop from one pharmacy to another in search of medicines.’