Regulatory Updates
Sep 13, 2026•1 min read
South Korea Opens 2026 Specialized Pharmacist Training Applications
The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare will accept applications from Jan 1‑18 to designate 2026 specialized pharmacist training institutions, adding integrated medication management as a new specialty.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 13, 2026•1 min read
Pharmacists Turn Focus to Korean Parliament Over Remote Prescription Drug Delivery
Pharmacist groups are watching the National Assembly as the regular session begins, seeking legislative action on expanding drug delivery for telemedicine, though concrete proposals are still pending.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 13, 2026•1 min read
Korean Pharmaceutical Association Launches Emergency Committee to Counter Expanded Telemedicine Drug Delivery
The Korean Pharmaceutical Association's provisional "National Health Rights Defense Emergency Committee" held its inaugural meeting to plan policy responses and advocacy against the government's telemedicine prescription drug delivery expansion.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 13, 2026•1 min read
MFDS launches new review system to cut new drug approval time to 240 days
South Korea's MFDS will activate a parallel-review process within a month, assigning multiple reviewers per area to reduce new drug approval timelines to 240 days.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 13, 2026•1 min read
Korea Disease Control Agency Allocates 1.435 trillion KRW for 2027 Budget, Expands Vaccine and AI R&D Funding
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced a 2027 budget of 1.4347 trillion KRW, a 7.4% increase, targeting expanded national immunization, next‑gen vaccines, mRNA and antibody therapeutics, and AI‑driven R&D.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 12, 2026•1 min read
Opposition Grows to Pharmacy Law Amendment Requiring Employers to Provide Free Emergency Medicines
Critics argue the draft amendment imposes unnecessary duties on employers and undermines pharmacies' professional market position.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 12, 2026•1 min read
KADA Marks 1-Year of Fair Play Ground Anti‑Doping Center
The Korea Anti-Doping Agency’s experiential anti‑doping education space, Fair Play Ground, celebrated its first year, having welcomed over 37,000 visitors since its August 26 opening.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 12, 2026•1 min read
South Korea's Health Ministry Reaffirms No Final Decision on Expanding Telemedicine Drug Delivery
The Ministry of Health and Welfare says expansion of medication delivery for telemedicine remains under discussion, with stakeholder input to be gathered via a public‑private council.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 12, 2026•1 min read
Korea bans telemedicine prescriptions for newly reimbursed Fintepla and Dayvigo insomnia drug
Fintepla (fenfluramine HCl) entered insurance coverage on the 1st and was immediately classified as a telemedicine‑prescription‑prohibited drug. Dayvigo film‑coating tablets for insomnia were also added to the prohibited list.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 12, 2026•1 min read
Korean Government Considers Expanding Telemedicine Prescription Delivery, Raising Pharmacy Sector Concerns
The Korean government is reviewing a plan to extend prescription drug delivery to all telemedicine patients, prompting worries among community pharmacists about competition from large warehouse‑type pharmacies and digital platforms.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 11, 2026•1 min read
South Korean lawmaker proposes amendment to expand night/holiday pediatric care
Lawyer Kim Ki-ung introduced a bill to amend the Emergency Medical Act, aiming to increase night and holiday pediatric services and address gaps in non‑capital and rural areas.
Regulatory Updates
Sep 11, 2026•1 min read
Korean Merck Healthcare’s Pergoberis® Pen Added to Health Insurance Coverage
Pergoberis® Pen, an infertility treatment, will be reimbursed under Korea’s health insurance from Sep 1, covering all three dosage strengths.