Regulatory Updates

Policy chief Jo Won‑jun warns that expanding drug delivery via telemedicine before proper implementation is premature, citing concerns after the DoctorNow Prevention Act passed.

The government plans to discuss expanding medication delivery for all telemedicine users, but the pharmacist association protests, citing premature implementation of the revised medical law.

The Korean government’s proposal to broaden prescription drug delivery to all telemedicine patients has sparked strong backlash from the pharmacy community, citing lack of legal basis and objective data.

Policy chief Jo Won‑jun warns that the government's push to expand medication delivery must prioritize public interest and patient safety, not benefit specific firms.

The National Assembly is set to convene this week, focusing on the pending Pharmacy Name Restriction Act that would bar misleading pharmacy names, following recent network pharmacy and telemedicine restrictions.

South Korea's government proposes widening home delivery of telemedicine prescriptions, prompting strong backlash from the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, which says the move reverses prior consensus and requires legal amendment.

The Jeju Pharmacists Association calls for a halt to the government's plan to expand medication delivery, emphasizing patient safety over convenience.

Bills to adjust minimum wage based on business size and to support at‑risk small retailers have been introduced, raising questions about impacts on Korean pharmacies.

General OTC medicines that should be sold only in pharmacies were found being sold on an online smart store and delivered by courier, prompting renewed calls for tighter online drug distribution controls.

The Korean Pharmaceutical Association marked the 300th day of its relay rally outside the Blue House, urging the government and parliament to overhaul the herbal pharmacist licensing system and fulfill promises on Korean medicine division.

The Korean Pharmaceutical Association met with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 13th to confirm implementation of follow‑up measures on the traditional pharmacist issue and to discuss guidelines for warehouse‑type pharmacies.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association will hold the 3rd Pharmacy Agreement Council meeting in Sejong, focusing on Korean medicine pharmacist licensure scope and warehouse‑type pharmacy issues.