Resolving patient data transparency

Lack of access to real-time patient medication history criticized at NA policy forum

Real-time access to become possible through linkage to DUR, MyData

Collaboration between multidisciplinary teams and pharmacist become crucial ahead of integrated care implementation

Starting March next year, when the Integrated Care Support Act comes into effect, pharmacists participating in the polypharmacy management program will be able to access real-time medication histories for eligible patients.

This addresses a previously noted limitation by enabling access to real-time patient information. Until now, information has been based on claims data, resulting in a time lag compared to actual prescription and dispensing information.

Access to DUR-based real-time data is expected to mark a major turning point for multidisciplinary team-based care involving pharmacists.

On the 26th, the Seoul Pharmaceutical Association co-hosted a National Assembly policy discussion forum with the offices of Democratic Party lawmakers Yoon Kim and In-soon Nam, focusing on medication management services in a super-aged society.

During the general discussion session, the need to expand access to real-time patient information and increase pharmacist participation in multidisciplinary teams was raised to strengthen pharmacists’ medication management services.

Jin-mi Jang, Director of the Seoul Pharmaceutical Association, said, “A government-led public data-based medication management system needs to be established. The issue can be resolved by enabling easy access to the excellent data held by the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Patient information must be viewable before visits.”

Jang added, ” Sharing medication counseling results with medical institutions is also crucial. In the community-based model, prescription intervention through communication with medical institutions is impossible. System improvements are clearly needed."

Jang also suggested expanding eligibility to basic livelihood security recipients and high-risk patients who receive prescriptions from multiple hospitals.

Park Sang-won, CEO of Neulpum Value, who participated in Gwanak-gu’s integrated care pilot project, highlighted the need for robust data integration and the pharmacist’s role within multidisciplinary teams. Park said, “The patient's medication list is not being brought to the integrated support meetings. This makes it difficult for pharmacists to play their role within the meetings. Medication management must be part of the case review from the beginning.”

Park also noted that integrated care frequently involves socially vulnerable individuals who are severely immobile or have limited health literacy, meaning pharmacists must be thoroughly prepared.

Park added, “Data often differs from reality. Therefore, pharmacists' roles are essential on-site. Furthermore, managing performance indicators will be crucial starting next year, so we must determine how to demonstrate that pharmacist counseling contributed to patient health outcomes.”

The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), the operational agency for the polypharmacy management program, also recognized the need for patient information verification.

Hyang-jung Park, Director of Health Support Programs at NHIS, stated, “We will link DUR-based medication history data to public MyData, enabling consulting pharmacists to access real-time information starting in March next year.”

Park emphasized, "We need many pharmacists with advanced expertise. There is a specialized pharmacist for integrated medication management (in the national specialist pharmacist subjects). If it becomes reimbursable, qualifications may be required for fee-for-service pricing. We will communicate with relevant departments at the Ministry of Health and Welfare and strive to make the polypharmacy management project a pilot reimbursement program,“ and asked for pharmacists’ active participation.

Hyun-jin Kang, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Pharmaceutical Policy Division, commented: “We agree on the importance of comprehensive medication management. However, we must continue discussing how to standardize and institutionalize it,” adding that the ministry will review the forum’s proposals with relevant departments.