Regulatory Updates

A National Assembly Budget Office study finds health receives 16.2% of total tax spending in 2024, the third‑largest share after social welfare and industry.

The Korean government has begun discussing nationwide drug delivery for telemedicine patients, prompting pharmacists and civil society to organize a protest in Seoul.

The Gwangju Pharmaceutical Association, together with Gyeonggi and Gangwon societies, seeks additional review of Onnuri H&C’s response on the Mega Onnuri Pharmacy, citing concerns over fairness, impact and sub‑lease structures.

From 2027, full tuition scholarships will be offered to new students at 30 regional national universities, but pharmacy majors are excluded.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The government plans to expand telemedicine prescription drug delivery to all patients, prompting the Free‑Medical‑Care Movement to demand an immediate stop, citing profit motives of private platforms.

Seoul Pharmacists Association warned that Lee So‑young’s pending appointment as Minister of SMEs and Start‑ups could advance telemedicine and prescription‑drug delivery initiatives, prompting regulatory concerns.

The Lee Jae‑myung administration set next year's health‑insurance national treasury support at 14.4%, prompting strong opposition from the anti‑privatization movement, which says it breaks the president’s 20% pledge.

The government is reviewing a proposal to extend telemedicine prescription drug delivery to all patients, prompting criticism from the Democratic and Progressive parties.