A bill to revise some of the Jeju Special Law

Using the purpose of regulating the Medical Service Act and Pharmaceutical Affairs Act

It also includes provisions to strengthen the publicity of Jeju health care

The bill banning the opening of for-profit hospitals and pharmacies in Jeju is aimed at preventing controversy over the Greenland International Medical Center by deleting special provisions on the opening of foreign medical institutions and foreign-only pharmacies.

 

The plan aims to eliminate controversy that could cause confusion in the domestic medical system by abolishing a conditional permit system that allows the opening of foreign medical institutions and foreign-only pharmacies with permission from the Jeju Governor based on the Foreign Investment Promotion Act.

 

Representative Wi Sung-gon of the Democratic Party of Korea submitted a bill to the National Assembly to revise some of the Jeju Special Law as of the 7th.

 

The most important contents of the amendment are to delete Article 307 of the current Jeju Special Act, "Special Cases concerning the Opening of Medical Institutions" and Article 308 "Special Cases concerning the Opening of Foreign-only Pharmacies." Article 307 of the current law allows corporations established by foreigners to open foreign medical institutions through the approval process of the governor of Jeju Island.

 

When permitting the establishment of a foreign medical institution, the Policy Delivery Committee for Health and Medical Service must be reviewed, and the provincial governor also included a clause approved by the MOHW.

 

Foreign medical institutions are stipulated not to be included in medical institutions under the National Health Insurance Act and medical institutions under the Medical Benefit Act.

 

This is the part of the provision that allows for profit-seeking medical practice.

 

Article 308 allows foreign-only pharmacies that are not allowed by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to be opened after the Foreign Investment Promotion Act and the registration of the provincial governor's opening.

 

Pharmacists engaged in foreign-only pharmacies cannot dispense and sell medicines to Koreans.

 

However, foreign pharmacies can also be prepared and sold to Koreans in the prescription issuance group at foreign medical institutions.

 

Foreign-only pharmacies are also not included in medical institutions under the Health Insurance Act.

 

Article 310 allows foreign license holders to work at foreign medical institutions and foreign-only pharmacies.

 

It also includes a clause that mandates foreign-only pharmacies to clearly indicate that they are foreign-only pharmacies inside and outside the pharmacy so that Koreans can know they are foreign-only pharmacies.

 

A foreign license holder engaged in a foreign medical institution or foreign-only pharmacy in violation of the amendment shall be punished by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to KRW 50 million.

 

Even if foreign-only pharmacies are not properly marked, they will be sentenced to up to one year in prison or fined up to 10 million won.

 

Rep.

 

Wi Sung-gon abolished the special cases of foreign medical institutions (Article 307) and foreign-only pharmacies (Article 308), while carefully pointing out all provisions related to foreign medical institutions and foreign-only pharmacies.

 

This is expected to block the possibility of opening for-profit hospitals and pharmacies regardless of the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, while eliminating the concept of foreign medical institutions and foreign-only pharmacies itself.

 

Rep.

 

Wi added a clause to promote the reinforcement of the publicity of health care in Jeju.

 

Article 306 added reinforcement of publicity and development, while newly establishing matters related to major health care business plans, financing, and management.

 

The health impact assessment of residents on climate change and other matters deemed necessary for strengthening and developing health care publicity were also added to the health care development plan.

 

The above bill should be implemented from the date of promulgation of the enforcement date of the revised law in the supplementary provisions, and those who obtained permission to open foreign medical institutions or foreign-only pharmacies according to the previous regulations at the time of enforcement of the law can open and operate.

 

Controversy over the legality surrounding the cancellation of the Greenland International Medical Center's permission to open remains.

 

Jeju Island submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court against the judgment of the appeal trial on "a lawsuit to cancel the cancellation of the permission to open a foreign medical institution."