South Korea eyes wider telemedicine drug delivery, sparking safety concerns

South Korea's government is considering a significant expansion of prescription drug delivery services for all patients receiving telemedicine, a move that broadens access beyond the current limitations for vulnerable populations. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 21 that discussions would begin to extend these services to all telemedicine patients, a departure from the initial plan to restrict delivery to residents of islands and remote areas, the disabled, and other medically underserved groups.

This potential expansion, which would be the first full-scale opening of drug delivery for telemedicine since a temporary allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being discussed ahead of the full institutionalization of telemedicine at the end of the year. The government plans to review relevant laws, including the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Medical Service Act, and will deliberate the specifics within a multi-ministry, public-private consultative body involving the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

However, the proposal has sparked concerns within the medical community regarding patient safety and the potential for drug abuse. While the government states it will concurrently review measures for safe receipt and consumption of dispensed medications, including quality control, confirmation of delivery, and medication guidance, specific challenges remain. The current revised Medical Service Act limits drug delivery to specific vulnerable groups, such as residents of islands and remote areas, long-term care recipients, registered disabled individuals, and patients with infectious or rare diseases.

Critics argue that expanding delivery to all telemedicine patients could make it more difficult to monitor and prevent drug abuse, especially in a healthcare system without a primary physician system. This structure allows patients to seek prescriptions from multiple institutions if denied by one. "If telemedicine and drug delivery are broadly permitted, it could become even more difficult to detect or manage drug abuse," warned Lee Dong-geun, vice representative of the Korean Association for Health and Society.

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If telemedicine and drug delivery are broadly permitted, it could become even more difficult to detect or manage drug abuse.