This week, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it would enhance drug safety management and make a new, streamlined review process for advanced healthcare goods.
The new process will tighten control on raw drug materials, expand patient compensation for side-effects, and prepare review systems for advanced medical devices. Additionally, the ministry will accelerate projects to help patients suffering from rare diseases by implementing quick review systems.
Part of this means allowing import of hemp-based medicines through Korea’s Orphan and Essential Drug Center from March.
In the past, it took seven days for local and overseas experimental drugs to be used for treatment and grant approval but as of May, the ministry will allow use immediately after application.
In June, the government will also start to provide payment for urgently needed medical devices such as artificial blood vessels for children.
The ministry will also operate a technology support team to help companies commercialize dementia drugs and diagnostic devices.
