South Korea Strengthens Healthcare Regulations & Support Systems
Recent legislative changes in South Korea aim to modernize and improve the nation’s healthcare system, addressing issues ranging from telehealth access to resident working conditions and medical device distribution. The national Assembly has passed a series of amendments to key healthcare acts, signaling a commitment to patient safety, equitable access to care, and improved support for medical professionals.
Telehealth Institutionalization: Following a nearly five-year pilot program initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, non-face-to-face (telehealth) medical treatment will be formally institutionalized. The government will now develop supporting regulations to ensure safe and convenient access for patients.
Combating Prescription Drug Misuse: Amendments to the Medical Service Act will require doctors and dentists prescribing or dispensing narcotic drugs to utilize the Drug Safety and Use Data System (DUR) for verification. This measure is intended to prevent misuse and abuse of these medications.
Addressing regional Healthcare Disparities: The newly enacted ‘Act on Training and Support of Local Doctors’ seeks to alleviate the imbalance in medical personnel distribution across the country. It establishes two categories of local doctors – ‘service-type’ and ‘contract-type’ – outlining selection processes, service obligations, and support mechanisms for each. The Ministry of Health and Welfare pledges further support to incentivize medical professionals to practice in underserved regions.
Ensuring Fair Medical Device Distribution: Changes to the Medical Device Act aim to prevent conflicts of interest in the medical device supply chain.The law now prohibits sellers from directly or indirectly selling to medical institutions with close familial ties (within the second degree of relation).Sellers are also required to disclose any such relationships to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, who will conduct regular fact-finding surveys. This is expected to promote fair trade practices and a more transparent distribution system.
Improving Resident Training & Wellbeing: The ‘Act to Improve the Training Surroundings and Status of Residents‘ focuses on enhancing the working conditions for medical residents. Continuous training time is now capped at 24 hours (with a maximum of 28 during emergencies), mirroring standards from a successful pilot program. The number of resident representatives on training environment evaluation committees has been doubled to four,ensuring greater input from trainees. Furthermore, hospitals are now mandated to prioritize training environments that minimize medical errors and disputes, and residents will have access to legal support in such cases. The amendment also explicitly prohibits discrimination in resident recruitment and selection.
These legislative changes represent a notable step towards a more robust, equitable, and lasting healthcare system in South Korea.
