The South Korean government has activated a daily inspection system for medical product supply and demand amid concerns stemming from the Middle East war, and will immediately respond to distribution disruptions including hoarding and price-fixing.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) said in a briefing Monday that it is jointly managing supply conditions across the production, distribution, and use of medical products in coordination with related ministries. MOHW, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety are conducting daily monitoring of key items used at medical facilities.
The government has moved to prevent raw material supply disruptions at the production stage. Led by the Food and Drug Safety Ministry, officials are inspecting manufacturers' raw material reserves and production status while working with MOTIE to ensure smooth supply of key materials such as naphtha. For IV fluid packaging materials, sufficient volumes have been secured to avoid supply problems for a certain period ahead.
The government is also operating a daily inspection system for medical field demand through health and pharmaceutical organizations. It is sharing supply conditions at hospitals and pharmacies in cooperation with the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Hospital Association, and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, among others, and is preemptively identifying items expected to face shortages to prepare response measures.
Controls over the distribution stage are also being strengthened. The government is examining the possibility of market disruption related to price increases or stockout concerns for some medical products. If illegal activities such as price-fixing or shipment manipulation are confirmed, the government plans to swiftly launch investigations in cooperation with the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). If collusion is established, penalties including surcharges of up to 20% of related sales revenue may be imposed.
The government said overall medical product supply remains at a manageable level. However, as some medical institutions may perceive the situation differently depending on their inventory levels and distribution conditions, the government plans to continue monitoring conditions on the ground and take necessary measures.
"We are closely managing the situation with related ministries to ensure there are no disruptions in medical product supply," a MOHW official said. "We will strictly respond to unfair distribution practices so that the public can use medical services with confidence."