Doctor 86% Replacement Assistance Negative...56% don't know the punishment if they don't comply with the prior consent post notification
Oct 23, 2025
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Alternative preparations refer to the replacement of prescription drugs with other drugs with the same ingredients, contents, and formulations.
The Korean Medical Association (Chairman Kim Taek-woo) recently conducted a member survey on the actual condition of illegal substitution assistance and found that substitution assistance is frequently conducted in medical sites and the operation of related systems is severely distorted.
The survey was conducted from September 29 to October 19 through the medical association newspaper's own survey system, Doctor Survey, and a total of 3,234 members participated.
According to the survey, 86% of the respondents showed a negative stance on the current alternative aid system. Concerns about the possibility of the system leading to the prescription of the ingredient name were also very high at 95.7%. In particular, 55.9% of respondents did not know that pharmacists would be subject to criminal punishment and administrative punishment if they did not fulfill their prior consent or post-notification obligations to doctors, and only 2.4% actually took measures such as notifying related agencies such as public health centers. 36.1% did not take any action.
The Medical Association needs to actively promote and educate members on issues of post-notification of alternative conditions, such as weakening accidents caused by alternative conditions. It is necessary to actively respond by revising the law to strengthen the punishment of illegal substitution assistance and strengthen administrative measures in consultation with the government."
In addition, based on the results of this investigation, we will promote the creation of legal response guidelines, preparation of measures to promote reporting of illegal substitute assistance, and the formation of a consultative body for related organizations, he added.
On the other hand, under the current Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (Article 95 Penalty), pharmacists will face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won (criminal punishment) if they fail to comply with their prior consent. In the case of failure to comply with the prior consent, the first will be suspended for 15 days, the second will be suspended for one month, and the third will be canceled (administrative disposition). In the case of failure to comply with post-notification, the first will be suspended for seven days, the second will be suspended for 15 days, the third will be suspended for one month, and the fourth will be suspended for one month.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
