“HIRA’s open ears and hearts for pharmaceutical industry"

Interview on Director Kim Ae-Ryun of Pharmaceutical Management Department at HIRA

Quarterly meeting with industry would resume from March or April when outbreak dies out

"The Pharmaceutical Management Department had to move to Wonju, as the construction of second headquarter building of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has been completed.

 

But its door is open.

 

We plan to have our ears and hearts opened to the pharmaceutical industry." Kim Ae-ryun, appointed as a director of Pharmaceutical Management Department at Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), claimed 'integrity' as the top quality of a public Institute.

 

But stated communication barrier should not be high.

 

And she means HIRA is always ready to meet with pharmaceutical industry.

 

First, the department had tried to manage the stakeholders visiting with an interview guideline.

 

But now the department is gearing towards meeting everyone, and even with the director herself, if need be.

 

Director Kim said, "The Pharmaceutical Management Department has opened a conference room for the visitor on the first floor of the first headquarter building.

 

Pharmaceutical companies with questions can visit us without an issue.

 

Transparency and integrity are the virtues a public institute should keep when working, but fundamentally the communication barrier should not hold them back." Previously a nurse, Director Kim started as reviewer at the DRG Department and served at Classification System Management Department.

 

Later, she was in charge of healthcare reimbursement standard, fee-for-service management, new medical technology system operation and monitoring, and listing medical service at the Benefit Listing Department.

 

With a lack of her experience in Pharmaceutical Management Department, pharmaceutical companies wondered of her personnel.

 

The director explained, "Everyone knows that I do not have experience in Pharmaceutical Management Department.

 

But I realized working here that my previous experience in reimbursement listing is similar to what I do now.

 

I served as a director before and understood the common process.

 

Now I see that the basic framework is similar and I plan to learn about the unique aspects of pharmaceutical listing as I go.” 40 days since her appointment as a director of Pharmaceutical Management Department, Director Kim has already had meetings with pharmaceutical industry organizations like Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA).

 

When the Covid-19 outbreak subsides around March or April, the director plans to resume having quarterly conference with pharmaceutical industry.

 

The whole office of Pharmaceutical Management Department has moved to Wonju last December.

 

Regarding the issue of pharmacist officers leaving the office, Director Kim said, “One pharmacist resigned last December and another officer left this year.

 

We’ve been here for two months and I think it’s a process.

 

Korea spends about 25 percent of the total medical expense on pharmaceutical expense.

 

And the Pharmaceutical Management Department takes care of most of drug items.

 

Out of many other career choices a pharmacist can choose, a public office pharmacist is a great choice to feel worthwhile and find value in working.” “Aside from a type of occupation, we hope many of pharmacists can join us as they could be a huge help to the people’s health and patients.

 

Government office pharmacist would be a great opportunity to help out with National Health Insurance finance management,” Director Kim added.

 

The director did not comment much about the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee selecting choline alfoscerate for the listed drug reevaluation pilot program.

 

Director Kim assured, “I hope the reimbursed drug reevaluation system takes its root in Korea well as it takes a first step in Korea.

 

This year’s goal for HIRA is to make a guideline to reasonably and transparently select subject drugs.

 

The DREC’s decision has been made, but the department would listen to government and stakeholders’ voices along the way.”