MOHW "Why is HIRA concerned about substitute prescriptions?"

Differing opinions between two agencies on the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act guidelines

HIRA states, "We are concerned about the addition of post-notification method"

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced adding 'HIRA's Business Portal System' as part of the post-notification procedures for substitute prescriptions.

 

However, an issue has been raised regarding differing opinions between the MOHW, which is responsible for the policy implementation, and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA).

 

On February 12, the MOHW team expressed discomfort regarding HIRA President Jung-Gu Kang's announcement of concerns to the press.

 

The announcement highlighted that neither party had sufficiently discussed the agreement details during the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act guidelines and policies.

 

The pharmacy industry deeply concerned about whether the revision can be effectively implemented given this ongoing dispute.

 

HIRA, "We disagree with the inclusion of post-notification procedure…MOHW decided the portal service" According to industry sources, the MOHW was solely responsible deciding to include 'HIRA's Business Portal System' in the revised details of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act guidelines and policies regarding post-notification procedures for substitute prescriptions.

 

The HIRA did not mutually agree.

 

It has been reported that HIRA expressed negative opinions towards utilizing either the DUR or the business portal system for post-notification procedures for substitute prescriptions.

 

Before the notification of the implementation of the revision, the administrative team expressed concern about invading the system's intended role and potential incidents related to pharmaceuticals due to doctors not being aware of the updates.

 

However, during the exchange of opinions, it has been reported that the party suggested the time it takes to develop a new system.

 

After the MOHW announced the implementation of the revision to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act on January 21, HIRA has not provided further opinion to the MOHW.

 

The current post-notification procedure for substitute prescriptions is limited to 'telephone, fax, or computer network.' The MOHW announced the implementation of revision to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act guidelines and policies on January 21 with details of including the 'HIRA's Business Portal System' as part of the notification method.

 

Amid this situation, the HIRA president, who will be responsible for running the portal for substitute prescriptions, expressed concerns to the press.

 

During the press conference the other day, Kang said, "Substitute prescriptions with the same active ingredient will not present significant issues for pharmaceuticals.

 

However, we must be cautious because patients may have varying sensitivity for certain medicines." Kang added, "If the HIRA's portal is used, doctors must individually access the system and check the change.

 

Thus they may be aware of the substitute prescription later or not at all in some cases." Kang also added, "We need to review ways to inform doctors about substitute prescription incidence immediately." MOHW, "Difficult to understand Kang's concerns…an agreement from doctors on the post-notification procedure is not necessary" Regarding this matter, the MOHW responds that it is difficult to understand why Kang announced a negative opinion towards the inclusion of the business portal for the post-notification procedure as part of the revision.

 

Since the revision entails simply adding the business portal to existing methods, including phones, fax, and computer networks, the MOHW reportedly to disagree with Kang's argument that doctors' awareness and confirmation of substitute prescriptions will be delayed.

 

During the meeting with the Korea Special Press Conference, a MOHW Bureau of Policy Planning representative said, "We did not revise the details to the guidelines to rely on the business portal system solely.

 

We intended to add more notification channels." He added, "The intention is to add the business portal system to the existing methods, such as phones and fax, so it is difficult to understand why Kang expresses concerns." The representative added, "(If HIRA's system is used) Doctors checking the change could be delayed, but this is not intended to ask permission, but it is a notification.

 

Adding another notification channel won't delay the check." He explained, "Technically, MOHW's adding a post-notification system to HIRA's portal is intended to support doctors and pharmacists' mutual access, and the HIRA's involvement is none." "If it (post-notification service for substitute prescriptions on the business portal) were HIRA's responsibility, Kang's concern would be important, but the HIRA does not play any role in this procedure.

 

HIRA may be running the business portal system.

 

However, MOHW is simply establishing the channel, and the HIRA is not responsible for mutual communication between doctors and pharmacists," the representative emphasized.

 

"Because (HIRA) is a third party allowing the space, and does not play a specific role in the portal system, we are unclear about why (Kang) expresses opinions or whether it's his responsibility," the representative added.