KPA counters oppositions on need for INN prescribing

KPA prepares an advocacy booklet titled: “A Citizen-Centered INN Prescribing System: Why It Is Absolutely Necessary”

Produced for nationwide provincial branches, lawmakers, etc… Plans to additionally produce public awareness materials

Also introduces the contents of the final report on ‘INN Prescribing Model Development’ by the Korea Institute for Pharmaceutical Policy Affairs

Sujin Noh, General Affairs/Public Relations Director, KPA 

The Korean Pharmaceutical Association has fully refuted concerns raised by some quarters on how the introduction of international nonproprietary name prescribing will not generate the expected healthcare cost savings and infringe on physicians' prescribing rights.

At a media briefing on the 1st, Director of General Affairs and Public Relations Soo-jin Noh discussed the association’s advocacy efforts regarding international nonproprietary name prescribing and introduced portions of the final report from the Korea Institute for Pharmaceutical Policy Affairs ‘INN Prescribing Model Development’ that was completed last October. 

The KPA also announced that it recently issued an advocacy booklet titled ‘A Citizen-Centered INN Prescribing System: Why It Is Absolutely Necessary,’ to strengthen outreach to government bodies around its INN Prescription Task Force and to support lobbying activities by regional branches and sub-branches.

This booklet, focusing on why the system is beneficial for the public, highlights: ▲   Definition of INN prescribing ▲Benefits for improving public health ▲ Reducing the burden of drug costs ▲ Addressing drug supply instability ▲ Strengthening patients' right to know and choice of medications ▲ Safety considerations ▲ Phased and stable implementation plans.

The booklet particularly drew attention by including the KPA's position on issues and questions raised by some sectors regarding the INN prescribing system.

This is interpreted as a counter-rebuttal to the Korean Medical Association's strong opposition to the legislative amendment currently proposed in the National Assembly regarding the introduction of generic name prescribing for out-of-stock drugs, which counters some of the KPA's arguments.

The KPA first countered the claim that INN prescribing infringes on doctors' prescribing rights and undermines the principle of separation of medical and pharmaceutical practices, stating, “It is, in fact, a system that aligns with the intent of separating prescribing and dispensing practices.

The KPA emphasized, “Physicians hold the core authority in patient treatment to determine the active ingredient, dosage, administration method, frequency, and duration. Pharmacists guide and dispense medications, enabling rational selection based on drug supply conditions and the patient's economic situation. INN prescribing aligns with the principle of rational drug use inherent in the separation of medical and pharmaceutical practices.”

The KPA also countered the KMA’s recent objections to its claim, based on research by the Korea Institute for Pharmaceutical Policy Affairs, that introducing INN prescribing could save KRW 7.9 trillion in medical costs.

The KPA stated, “Even under the current system, dispensing based on the lowest price criterion could save KRW 7.9 trillion annually, and including socioeconomic costs, we can expect savings exceeding KRW 9 trillion. If drug price system improvements and INN prescribing are implemented together, the savings will be even greater.” 

Regarding the criticism that INN prescribing cannot resolve the root cause of drug supply instability, the KPA emphasized, “This is an issue that remains unresolved despite attempts at various measures, including drug price increases, distribution improvements, and cooperation from pharmaceutical companies to increase production.” It stressed, “The most effective solution on the ground is for pharmacists to assist patients in exercising their right to choose the correct medication, ensuring patients can take government-guaranteed therapeutically equivalent drugs on time.”

The KPA announced plans to produce additional materials for public outreach beyond this advocacy booklet.

Director Noh stated, “We initially printed about 1,000 copies of this document, which will be distributed to provincial branches nationwide, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association's board members, and lawmakers. We also plan to produce additional public awareness leaflets and distribute them to local pharmacies and hospital pharmacists to explain the necessity of INN prescribing to the public." 

Director Noh also disclosed part of the results from a citizen survey included in the final research report on ‘‘INN Prescribing Model Development’ completed last month by the Korea Institute for Pharmaceutical Policy Affairs.

Noh stated, “In a survey of 3,000 adults regarding awareness of INN prescribing, 83.8% of respondents agreed with the practice. Notably, citizens with prior experience of generic substitution showed higher positive perceptions of INN prescriptions. Reasons cited included improved access to dispensing and enhanced understanding of medication information.”

Noh added, “It appears the public is choosing their preference based on individual convenience rather than professional disputes like conflicts between doctors and pharmacists. As drug shortages persist, overall public awareness and positive sentiment toward generic substitution and prescribing drugs with the same active ingredient seem to have increased.”