The Korean government has launched on-site inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturers to prevent supply disruptions of essential medicines such as intravenous (IV) fluids used in medical settings. The move aims to manage the entire process from raw material procurement to production and distribution.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said Wednesday it visited pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and held an industry roundtable jointly with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). The inspection was designed to ensure stable supply of essential medicines including IV fluids to medical facilities.
The government has been managing the procurement of raw materials such as plastic resin needed for IV fluid production through ongoing communication with the industry. No significant disruptions in packaging material supply were reported over the past three months. However, officials said they took preemptive action given risks from global supply chain instability and potential cost increases.
Key agenda items discussed at the roundtable included:
△ Priority supply of medical-grade plastic resin
△ Easing mandatory small-packaging requirements for pharmaceuticals
△ The need for financial support reflecting rising production costs
In response, the government plans to encourage priority allocation of resin for healthcare use, swiftly pursue administrative support including deregulation of small-packaging rules, and review financial assistance to offset rising cost burdens from factors such as higher naphtha prices. The government said it will continue to strengthen cooperation with pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions while monitoring supply conditions to preemptively address potential disruptions.
"IV fluids are essential medicines for sustaining and recovering patients' lives, and they are difficult to substitute," MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung said. "We will actively respond in cooperation with relevant ministries to ensure stable supply of essential medicines to medical facilities."