KMA protests in front of the NA opposing INN prescribing

“Forcing INN prescribing is a declaration of the end of prescription–dispensing separation”

Physicians nationwide protest against INN prescribing and X-ray use by Korean medicine doctors

Stages demonstration in front of the Democratic Party headquarters

Representatives of doctors nationwide gathered in front of the National Assembly on the 16th to protest the government’s push to mandate international nonproprietary name (INN) prescriptions and allow Korean medicine practitioners’ use of X-ray devices.

 

The Korean Medical Association (KMA, President Taek-woo Kim) held a ‘National Doctors’ Assembly to Protect Public Health and Oppose Anti-Medical Laws’ in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, starting at 2 PM on the 16th.

 

Following the rally, participants marched to the Democratic Party headquarters, voicing strong opposition to harmful medical legislation.

 

Doctors

KMA President Taek-woo Kim stated, “The issue of unstable drug supply is something the government must take responsibility for.

 

Yet, instead of addressing that problem, the government is trying to use it as an excuse to enforce INN prescribing.

 

The proposed bill even includes provisions for criminal punishment for physicians who do not comply — a completely unreasonable and excessive piece of legislation.” Kim added, “This is a clear anti-medical law that shatters trust between doctors and patients, threatens patient safety, and collapses the accountability structure.

 

If drugs are substituted without a doctor's judgment simply because they contain the same ingredients, who will be responsible for the resulting erosion of doctors' prescribing authority and patient safety?” “Since the separation of medical and pharmaceutical services in 2000, we have steadfastly maintained the boundary between prescription and dispensing.

 

However, the INN prescribing now being forced through by the National Assembly and the government is an act that clearly undermines the principle of separation of medical and pharmaceutical services upheld for over 20 years.

 

Forcing ingredient-name prescriptions is tantamount to declaring the abolition of the separation of medical and pharmaceutical services.” He further pointed out, “The National Assembly is now pushing an absurd bill to include Korean medicine practitioners as responsible persons for the safety management of radiation-emitting devices.

 

The idea of entrusting Korean medicine practitioners with the safety management responsibility for X-rays is a clear encroachment on the academic domain of medicine and erases the boundaries between professional licenses.” Kim declared, "The three major anti-medical initiatives — the revision of laboratory test regulations, the enforcement of generic prescriptions, and the allowance of X-ray use by Korean medicine practitioners — are not separate issues..

 

They represent the reckless policy rush of the National Assembly and government, which disregards public health and safety and brutally tramples on expert voices.

 

We, as representatives of doctors nationwide, have gathered here to unite the anger and resolve of all 140,000 physician members and launch a comprehensive, powerful, all-out struggle to save healthcare in the Republic of Korea."

Doctors

Kyo-yoong Kim, Chair of the KMA Council of Delegates, also appealed, “The forced implementation of INN prescriptions is a harmful law that threatens patient safety and seriously infringes on doctors' prescribing rights.

 

It must be immediately and permanently abolished..

 

Stop this irresponsible experiment right now, which could cause medication errors by using patient safety as collateral.” “If lawmakers insist on pushing through such an unjust bill, those who proposed and support it should be the first to apply it to themselves.

 

If the true aim is public benefit and cost reduction, patients should be allowed to choose freely, and the healthcare system should transition to a one-stop in-hospital dispensing system rather than going through pharmacies.”

Doctors

The KMA adopted a resolution pledging to wage an all-out fight should the government and parliament proceed with enforcing INN prescribing or X-ray use by Korean medicine practitioners.