Government Pushes for Introduction of Abortion Drugs... Direct Prescription and Dispensing by Doctors for 2 Years

[Financial News] The government is pushing for the institutionalization of abortion drugs. For the first two years, the drugs will be managed through direct prescription and dispensing by doctors at medical institutions; subsequently, plans are underway to expand the scope of management after reviewing side effects and safety.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported on plans to introduce abortion drugs at the 14th National Policy Coordination Meeting held at Government Complex Seoul on the 16th.
This plan is a follow-up measure to address the institutional vacuum and delays in the introduction of abortion drugs that have persisted since the Constitutional Court of Korea's 2019 ruling that the abortion law was incompatible with the Constitution. The government is pursuing a plan to manage abortion drugs, which have previously been circulating unofficially, within the national medical system.
The government anticipates that the introduction of the drug will reduce the illegal distribution of medicines with unverified safety and enable safe use and follow-up care through medical institutions. It is also expected to improve access to medical care, allowing women to choose between medication or surgery based on their health status, and reduce the financial burden resulting from delayed abortions.
Specific roles are also divided. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family reported on the necessity and expected effects of introducing abortion drugs, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported on phased introduction and management measures for their use in medical settings. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety presented plans for the drug's approval and review.
The abortion drug currently undergoing approval and review has been submitted as a medication for use within 63 days (9 weeks) of pregnancy, based on clinical trial data and other evidence. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to review safety, efficacy, and quality data, along with a risk management plan that includes the collection and evaluation of post-marketing adverse events.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare proposed a plan to apply the principle of direct prescription and dispensing by doctors at medical institutions for the first two years after the drug's introduction. Subsequently, after reviewing side effects and safety, the ministry plans to consider gradually expanding the management methods.
The government plans to respond to potential side effects that may occur during drug use through prescriptions and follow-up management at medical institutions, and to establish a management system capable of assessing usage patterns within the institutional framework.
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyong stated, "Now that the government has officially announced plans to introduce abortion drugs, we will ensure that abortions can be performed more safely within the national medical system."
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong stated, "We will strive to create conditions for safe use following the approval of abortion drugs." Minister of Food and Drug Safety Oh Yu-kyung said, "We will thoroughly review the application materials for the approval of abortion drugs with the safety of the public as our top priority."
The government plans to proceed with the approval and review of abortion drugs in parallel with establishing a management system for medical practice.


[email protected] Jeong Sang-hee Reporter