Jeong Ki-seok, a physician-turned head of the National Health Insurance Service, said on the 17th that "ingredient-name prescriptions are necessary." Jeong made the remarks at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit of government affairs that day. Ingredient-name prescribing is when a doctor prescribes a drug by its ingredient name rather than its brand name. If a doctor prescribes acetaminophen (ingredient) instead of Tylenol, a pharmacist can choose one of the products containing that ingredient and provide it to the patient.
Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea asked that day, "Should the ingredient-name prescription system be introduced for drugs with unstable supply?" Jeong said, "I think ingredient-name prescriptions are necessary." However, Jeong noted, "From my experience treating patients over a lifetime, some drugs (even with the same ingredient) differ in effectiveness."
Jeong is a pulmonologist who graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine. Currently at the National Assembly, amendments to the Pharmacist Act and Medical Service Act have been proposed to allow ingredient-name prescriptions for drugs with unstable supply. It says that failure to comply could result in criminal penalties such as imprisonment and fines. Doctors oppose ingredient-name prescribing, saying it infringes on medical practice.
Jeong apologized for the recent leak of personal information at the National Health Insurance Service. Jeong said, "We have completed notifications to those whose information was leaked," adding, "We will be careful going forward." Earlier, due to a system error at the National Health Insurance Service, the names, dates of birth, and phone numbers of 182 people, including heads of long-term care institutions, workers, and beneficiaries, were leaked.