The Korean government has launched an emergency review of syringe and needle supply chains to prepare for potential medical device shortages caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The move aims to preemptively prevent production disruptions of these essential medical supplies.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said it visited syringe and needle manufacturers on June 6 along with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) to inspect production sites and hold a roundtable with industry representatives.
The roundtable was organized as prolonged instability in the Middle East has raised concerns over raw material procurement and logistics disruptions. The government focused its review on production status and supply chain conditions, centering on manufacturers with high domestic market shares and their industry associations.
At the site, discussions covered each company's production and supply situation as well as contingency measures for potential supply disruptions. Industry representatives raised key requests including: △stable supply of raw materials, △expedited approval and review processes when using alternative raw materials, and △the need for medical fee adjustments reflecting rising production costs.
In particular, syringes and needles are essential medical devices used in treatment procedures. Officials emphasized the need for preemptive action, as any supply disruption could affect the entire healthcare system.
The government plans to maintain a monitoring system covering both manufacturers and medical facilities simultaneously to preemptively block potential supply chain bottlenecks. It will also consider tailored responses such as regulatory improvements and support for raw material procurement as needed. Going forward, the government plans to continue on-site inspections and industry communication focused on key medical products to proactively manage supply instability risks.
"Syringes and needles are essential medical devices for patient treatment," MFDS Commissioner Oh Yu-kyung said. "We will continuously monitor production and supply conditions and reflect on-site feedback to build a stable supply environment."