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- 2026-04-17 11:08:12
- Policy
- Government on new coronavirus, “All hands on deck”
- by Kim, Jung-Ju Feb 03, 2020 06:22am
- The Korean government body reported the Cheongwadae of pan-government response plan on the 2019 novel coronavirus after monitoring the current status of the outbreak. Along with the plan, the government officials discussed of a plan evacuating Korean residents in Wuhan, China, and providing other humanitarian support for China. At the Government Complex Seoul from 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) convened and President Moon Jae-in led a meeting on general countermeasure plan against the 2019 novel coronavirus, along with Deputy Prime Minister, related Ministers and 17 city and provincial leaders. ◆ Response status and pan-governmental support plan: At the meeting, the government officials first talked of the present status of response against the novel coronavirus outbreak and related pan-governmental support plan, and decided to put all efforts to block off inter-regional spread of the virus infection in Korea. First off, the government has decided to place more government officers at the quarantine centers to thoroughly shut out the spread of infection. Following the additional dispatch of 250 officers from MOHW, Ministry of National Defense (MND), Korean National Police Agency and others to quarantine centers nationwide including Incheon International Airport, MND has promptly dispatched 106 more officers to meet the needed reinforcements. And depending on the progression of the spread home and abroad, the government leaders have decided to dispatch epidemiologist to affected cities and districts. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) call center (1339) has increased the number of respondents from 19 to 329 to swiftly provide counseling and answer related questions from suspected case of the novel coronavirus. KCDC also plans to arrange more epidemiologists around cities and districts. Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) is also running a due diligence on overall 2,991 people traveled from Wuhan to Korea from Jan. 13 to 26. The travelers are checked upon everyday by phone call, and isolated for further inspection if they show respiratory symptoms. A child or school faculty returned from Hubei province, China, is refrained from coming to daycare center, kindergarten and school, but accordingly administrative measures like attendance processing are simultaneously executed. Also workers, who visited Hubei province, are also temporarily removed from welfare facility with senior citizens and the disabled for 14 days. The government plans to redirect public health center capacity to focus on special clinics for the outbreak and people who came in contact with infected people. To better accommodate the outbreak management, regional health centers adjusted and lessened workload of general medical service and health promotion programs. And regional emergency medical centers are to check visitors’ body temperature and to confirm infection of those with high fever in a separate special health center before they enter the hospital to minimize infection spreading within healthcare institutes. At the moment, 18 Government Research Institutes of Public Health and Environment are testing the suspected cases as soon as possible, but other private healthcare institutes may run tests by themselves from early February. Also the government has alleviated government support standard for medical professionals to judge the risk of infection at the field and quarantine and treat the suspected case immediately. Meanwhile, the government bodies are to cooperate monitoring and imposing strict measures on unknown source of information with unauthorized use of the government body logo distributed to the public and creating confusion and anxiety. ◆ On safely evacuating and aiding Korean residents in Wuhan: Temporary flights are sent to Wuhan to evacuate Korean residents in Wuhan and close vicinity, if they want to be. The temporary flights would be managed based on evacuation demand, and the government would finish up the related talks with the Chinese government soon. The Korean residents are to be tested for infection before boarding the plane and after landing in Korea. Dispatching government-led emergency response team, the Korean residents flying in from Wuhan would get an emergency flight support, quarantine testing, medical aid, and necessary supplies. Korean government is also sending medical aid supplies to China struggling with the fast-spreading novel coronavirus as a humanitarian gesture. As requested by Chinese government, Korean government is to review providing total of USD five million worth of supplies. ◆ Temporarily quarantined living quarter for returnees from Wuhan and local government reinforcements: Temporarily quarantined living quarter for Korean residents returning from Wuhan aims to protect both the returnees and local citizens. The site was designated generally considering the facility to accommodate quarantined treatment and proximity to healthcare institute. Each returnee is provided with a single room as a living quarter, but visitor access and exiting the facility would be strictly prohibited. Individual supply of toiletry and bedding would be given to each returnee for sanitary reasons, and also their disposal wastes would be dealt with care. Medical professionals would check their health status twice daily, and anyone showing symptoms at the facility would be immediately transferred to government-designated hospital for admission. Support team consisting of various government officers would strictly manage the temporary living facilities to ensure safety and health of neighboring communities. ◆ Economic impact and response plan: The government announced all governmental capacity and effort would be centered on securing public safety and security and in minimizing economic impact until the risk of novel coronavirus completely subsides. Also the impact, especially on the real economy in Korea, would be investigated closely and all capacity would be focused on minimizing the potential negative effect as much as possible. Referring the previous cases of SARS in 2003 and MERS in 2015, the impact on economy would be thoroughly examined and analyzed by various scenarios, and necessary initiative would be proactively prepared to be initiated when needed. And related budget would be allocated and spent on preemptive and watertight epidemic disinfection Total epidemic disinfection budget of 20.8 billion won, consisting of 6.7 billion won for responsive disinfection system, 2.5 billion won for quarantine and infection testing fee, and 2.9 billion won for quarantined treatment, already allocated for this year would be spent to assertively back up the preemptive epidemic disinfection. The government has announced two trillion won, initially allocated as contingency budget for this year, would be used if the secured budget is insufficient.
- Policy
- Chong Kun Dang's CKD-306 is approved for phase I
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Feb 03, 2020 06:20am
- Duvie, a new diabetes drug made by Chong Kun DangChong Kun Dang is continuing to develop a combination of diabetes drug 'Duvie' and DPP-4 inhibitor 'Sitagliptin'. In 2016, Chong Kun Dang, a candidate for the development of a combination drug known through clinical approval of drug interactions, was recently approved for phase I clinical trials and is now in full swing. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved the Phase I clinical trial plan for CKD-396 by Chong Kun Dang on the 21st. CKD-396 is known to be a combination of Lobeglitazone, a diabetes drug called 'Duvie' and Sitagliptin, one of the DPP-4 inhibitor. In March 2016, a phase I trial protocol for drug interactions has already been approved. The trial will be conducted at Severance Hospital. The control drug is Januvia(100mg Sitagliptin phosphate hydrate) and Duvie 0.5 mg (Lobeglitazone sulfate). 26 healthy adults were compared with the pharmacokinetics and safety of CKD-396 and the control group. Clinical trials are scheduled from February to December. Duvie by Chong Kun Dang is a domestic new drug (No. 20) approved in July 2013. It is a Thiazolidinediones-based diabetes treatment drug that increases insulin reactivity, reduces blood sugar levels, and maintains pancreatic function. Chong Kun Dang has continued to develop complexes since Duvie was approved. In June 2016, Duvimet (Lobeglitazone sulfate-Metformin Hydrochloride), which was combined with Metformin hydrochloride, the first treatment for type 2 diabetes, was approved. The development of a combination of DPP-4-based therapeutic agents, Sitagliptin, is also part of the lineup. Pioglitazone (brand name: Actos by Takeda), already a competitor of Duvie, is commercially available as 'Nesina act', a combination of DPP-4 inhibitor, Alogliptin (brand name: Nesina by Takeda). Nesina act was approved in October 2014, and recorded last year's outpatient prescription amount of ₩11 billion based on UBIST, showing off as a blockbuster. In the medical field, the combination of Thiazolidinediones and DPP-4 series doubles the effect of diabetic treatment and is used as a treatment option. There are also several clinical data that show actual results. As a result, the Lobeglitazone-Sitagliptin combination may be useful in patients. It is noteworthy whether Chong Kun Dang's clinical research conducted in 2016 will bear the final commercialization.
- InterView
- 27 years in the HIRA, feeling worthwhile in public service
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Feb 03, 2020 06:20am
- There is a problem that the HIRA and the NHIS, which have completed the relocation to Wonju Innovation City, are worried. It is about recruiting professional personnel such as doctors and pharmacists. In particular, The number of pharmacist recruitment is 72 of the HIRA and 35 people in the NHIS, but both institutions cannot failed to fill the recruitment capacity. On the contrary, with the relocation of Wonju, pharmacists left one by one, and there are limits to filling up the vacancy even if the pharmacists are filled through the recruitment process from time to time. In this situation, let's hear about the advantages of public pharmacist from the director of Drug Management Information Center, Mi-young Yoo(54 years old, Duksung University 86)who returned from the Sejong Institute for the past year. Yoo joined the Medical Insurance Association (The HIRA Former) in 1993 and took charge of the Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Accreditation Standards, and in 2006, she continued his expertise as a pharmacist at the HIRA by applying for an open position as a director of the drug re-evaluation department. "It's been 27 years since I joined the HIRA. I worked as a pharmacist for 23 years in the pharmacy management departement, I was the head of the DUR management office and returned to the information center after dispatching to the Sejong Institute". In the first half of 2014, Yoo was the head of the Drug Registration Division, which was in charge of the core tasks of new drug reimbursement deliberation, including economic evaluation. She was a pharmacist at the time and followed the title of 'economic evaluation expert'. In January 2015, she went to Korea National Defense University (KNDU) for 1 year while she was promoted to general manager. In 2016, she was head of the dept. of therapeutic materials, and in 2017 after director of reimbursement department, she was returned to the head of DUR management, which is highly related to drugs. Pharmacist, Mi-young Yoo, is a young director who has been promoted to a director in her 40s after being recognized for her professionalism. Nowadays, she has been to the Graduate School of Defense and the Sejong Institute. It is like getting blood from a stone. "Life on the HIRA was a personally rewarding, opportunity to get a lot." The director Yoo has played an important role in the overall responsibility of drug distribution, reimbursement and patient safety management in the HIRA, from the Drug Management Office and the DUR Management Office to the current Information Center. She said, “The HIRA's role is to monitor pharmaceutical companies and wholesalers, but also to help the public receive better services, and as a pharmacist, I pride myself on the work of the public as well as pharmaceutical work. Because of this, I think I've been able to stay on the HIRA for a long time”. According to the recent complete relocation of Wonju, she said, "If you think that it is rewarding, fun and for the people, you will find the charm of a public pharmacist". In particular, she noted that the role of the pharmacist in the HIRA is more characteristic than other institutions. "The place where all the information of the medicine is gathered is the HIRA, and whatever role you play as a pharmacist, you will be in charge of all the important tasks related to the medicine. Nowadays, "work & life balance" is very important, and I feel that it is" work & life balance" that I can be rewarded and have fun". The director Yoo also said that while she was in her twenties and thirties, she was told by her colleagues why she works in public institutions with little pay and no treatment. However, she is in her 'activity' compared to her peers who are living in their usual patterns after their late 40s and 50s. "When I look at my colleagues around the world, they worked at drug companies, hospitals, etc., but most of the time, they work at retail pharmacies as they are getting older. I'm proud to say that I've done well when I look back on the work related to the health insurance and medicines that I've dedicated to youth“. The director Yoo said that the idea that our family and our people can receive proper health guarantees acted as a support. She emphasized that, unlike other public institutions, the HIRA, where there are many women, is also good for female pharmacists to work".
- Company
- Tae-han Kim, CEO of BioLogics will be reappointed
- by Lee, Seok-Jun Jan 31, 2020 06:36am
- Samsungbioepis will operate the system of two vice presidents, and Tae-han Kim, CEO of SamsungbioLogics has confirmed that it is four consecutive years. The two companies made such key positions on January 30. The figures reflect results from last year's performance. Sang-Jin Park, Vice President of SamsungbioepisSeven people were promoted. Another vice president was appointed. Sang-jin Park, 50-year-old general manager, was promoted to vice president. Park is a physician and joined Samsungbioepis in July 2018 after serving as head of the German GSK and representative of AstraZeneca Korea. As a result, Samsungbioepis has two vice presidents. Until Sang-jin Park was appointed, Chang-hoon Choi(60) was Vice President . In addition to Sang-jin Park, Samsungbioepis has appointed Kyung-A Kim, QE (Quality Evaluation) Team Manager, and Young-Pil Lee. PD (Process Development) Team. Hyung-ki Park, CMC Group Head of RA (Regulatory Affairs), Won-young Yoo, Cell Line 1 Group Head of Development Division , Soyoung Lee, Head of SCM Team of Production Division, and Jinhan Jung ,Head of Production Management Group of were promoted. The promotions reflected achievements. Samsungbioepis expects its first profit in eight years. Samsungbioepis posted operating loss of ₩102.7 billion in 2017. The market revenue is expected to reach ₩1 trillion. Samsungbioepis entrusts global distribution to partner companies, and only a certain proportion of ₩ 1 trillion will be captured. Samsungbioepis had sales of ₩368.7 billion in 2018 and last year exceeded it in the third quarter. Tae-han Kim, CEO of Samsung BioLogics Kim Tae-han, CEO of Samsung Biologics, 63 years old, has virtually confirmed his term. If there is no change in the position of the representative on promotion on January 30, he will be reappointed on March 23. Samsung Biologics announced the promotion on the 30th, including promotion to the executive director of C & C Center, Ho-yeol Yoon. Four executives including Eun-young Yang, head of CDO project team, Se-kang Park, DS2 culture part process manager, Yong-hwan Jin, DS2 MSAT team leader, and Ki-jung Kim, executive director of global customer support team, were appointed as executive directors. There was no change in the position of representative in this performance assessment. Tae-han Kim , CEO of Samsung Biologics, is expected to be re-elected at the general shareholders' meeting on March 23. If he is re-elected, it is his fourth term. In general, Samsung affiliates' promotions are conducted after the presidents' appointments. Resignation of Kim's position as a CEO was a concern. Mr. Kim is the oldest and longest CEO of Samsung Group's listed subsidiaries, and he is at the center of controversy over the issue of fraudulent accounting. Samsung BioLogics posted ₩701.6 billion in sales last year. This is a 30.9% increase from the previous year (₩535.8 billion). Operating profit came in at ₩917.7 billion, up 64.8% from the previous year (₩55.7 billion).
- Company
- Resumed supply of Terramycin delayed from Feb to July
- by Jung, Hye-Jin Jan 31, 2020 06:35am
- The supply resumption date of Pfizer Korea’s Terramycin ophthalmic ointment has been pushed back. On Jan. 28, Pfizer Korea notified distributors, pharmacies and hospitals that Terramycin supply would resume around July. Apparently, the delayed production schedule is pushing down the resumption date. In last November, the company has notified the ointment is out of stock and informed the stock would be supplied around February 2020. Terramycin has struggled with a long-term shortage for 20 months previously, and is now considered as a frequently used drug with frequent shortage problem. Priced at 385 won with reimbursement, Terramycin ophthalmic ointment 3.5 g is commonly used to treat a vast variety of superficial ocular infections like corneal ulcer and conjectivitis. According to pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST, the ointment has generated 354.76 million won from over 920,000 outpatient prescriptions last year.
- Policy
- Industry welcomes pricing benefit unchanged for IMD
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Jan 31, 2020 06:35am
- The Korean pharmaceutical industry is positively reacting to Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOHW) revised drug pricing system including the weighted pricing benefit for incrementally modified drug (IMD) as it would allow IMDs to remain as a cash cow generating finance for new drug R&D. Although they are regretful the weighted pricing is limited only to government-designated IMD and excluded other ‘drugs for data submission,’ the majority of the industry says the government started recognizing the value of IMDs. On Jan. 28, a pharmaceutical industry insider commented “MOHW reissued a notice of revised ‘Criteria for Decision or Adjustment on Drugs’ that saved IMD from leveling itself down with other generics. But it also highlighted the importance and need for Korean pharmaceutical companies to switch their core business model.” MOHW re-notified the revised generic drug pricing criteria including the weighted pricing for IMD on Jan. 28. The key change made was maintaining the pricing benefit for IMD until other generic is released, as the drugs work as a stepping stone to new drug development. Quoting the notice issued by the ministry, the weighted pricing benefit would be applied to “IMD (including incrementally modified combination drug) until other single or combination drug with same administration method, content, and formulation is listed.” The industry perceives the change as the government’s ultimatum for Korean pharmaceutical companies to shift away from generic development to better-priced IMD development. Among all drugs for data submission, the pricing benefit was limited to IMD designated by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), which also means IMD’s individual patent registration and four to six years of post-marketing surveillance (PMS) period would come in effect as well. For pharmaceutical companies, the revision would encourage them to explore patent difficult for competitors to replicate and to develop IMD to ultimately block off other generic competitors while making profit during the PMS period. The PMS period is valid for four years on extended release drug with prolonged effect, and six years on combination drug or drug improving benefit with alternative administration method. Until the PMS period expires, other generic launch is restricted for the IMD to dominate the market to some extent. As a result, IMDs that MFDS sees inventiveness in safety, efficacy and utility (drug compliance, convenience and etc.) based on pharmaceutical approval and registration review regulation would be provided with benefits of market exclusivity and pricing. A pharmaceutical company official commented, “Many opinions of IMD-focused companies have been reflected. As the purpose of the revision was to improve the weighted pricing system, MOHW seems to have widely accepted of the industry’s opinions,” but “limiting the pricing benefit only to MFDS-designated IMD, instead for all drugs for data submission, is regretful.” The official elaborated, “The restriction means drugs for data submission with change in saline base, isomer and formulation would be neglected from the pricing benefit. Accordingly, Korean pharmaceutical companies would have to act fast analyzing the changes and to plan for new business model,” as “the government has technically sketched out the prospective of the industry with pricing benefit, so lingering in the generic game would eventually risk the business.”
- Policy
- Besivo's reimbursement standards expanded
- by Kim, Jung-Ju Jan 31, 2020 06:35am
- If the patient progresses to liver cancer during treatment with Besifovir oral medications, the benefit is still acceptable. In the case of Ramosetron HCl oral medications, there will be no restriction on the duration of administration, up to 12 weeks. The Ministry of Health and Welfare was confirmed on 28th after hearing opinions by the 22nd on the partial amendment of 'Details on the Standards and Methods of Application of Medical Benefits (Pharmaceuticals)'. The effective date is the 1st of next month. Looking at the reimubrsement criteria to be applied next month, patients with chronic hepatitis B begin treatment with Besifovir (generic for Besivo), and if the disease progresses to liver cancer, the patient can continue to receive the benefits. This means that even if hepatitis B patients are diagnosed with cancer from now on, they will receive the benefit for continuous administration. There is no restriction on the duration of the administration of Ramosetron HCl oral medications such as Irribow by Korea Astellas. Currently, the duration of administration is limited to a maximum of 12 weeks, and further administration is being reduced. As Boryeong’s combination drug of Fimasartan, Amlodipine & Rosuvastatin is newly listed on the 1st day, it is added to the 'high blood pressure + hyperlipidemia' complex oral reimbursement standard. When using Infliximab products such as Crohn's disease treatment, Remicade by Janssen, immunoglobulin-resistant refractory Kawasaki disease (including typical and atypical) that exceeds the licensed range is also approved. Basiliximab injections, such as Simulect by Novartis , used in adult kidney transplantation, specify the dosage and frequency of heart, liver, lung, small intestine transplantation, and pancreatic and pancreatic transplants in excess of the approved range. This makes the standard clearer than before. In detail, according to the permission (use and dose), it is specified as 20 mg per dose and 2 doses. In case of Abatarcept injections, such as 250mg of Orencia inj and Orencia subQ pfs(125mg) by BMS Korea, benefits are expanded by adding 'expandable minority arthritis' among pediatric idiopathic arthritis. Agalsidase β 35mg injections, such as Fabrazyme from Sanofi-aventis Korea, an enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease's confirmed patients, are changed based on the amounts listed on the current insurance benefit list. The ingredient is actualized. In addition, Jext inj (children/adults, Epinephrine single use autoinjector) and Dibenyline capsules (Phenoxybenzamine oral drugs), which were reimbursed as urgent drug and decided to be deleted due to supply failure, as of the 31st of the six-month grace period, the benefit will be also deleted.
- Company
- Keytruda awaits Cancer Committee’s nod in February
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Jan 30, 2020 06:34am
- The pharmaceutical industry is keeping their eyes close to the Korean government and MSD’s tug-of-war over expanding reimbursement on immunotherapy Keytruda. The industry reported on Jan. 30, the Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee is scheduled to deliberate reimbursement on Keytruda’s five indications including first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in February. As recommended by the Cancer Committee, MSD Korea had two sessions of preliminary negotiation with Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), each in May and September last year, but their talks fell through. Besides the indications of first-line treatment for NSCLC, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin’s disease, MSD is anticipating for the Cancer Committee to green light the reimbursement expansion in February on additional indications to treat metastatic non-squamous NSCLC as a first-line combination therapy with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy, and to treat metastatic squamous NSCLC as a first-line combination therapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. So far, the key issues addressed at the attempted but failed negotiation were the conditions of granting reimbursement. The conditions are to limit to ‘patients showing response to the treatment,’ and the trade off card the government is pushing on to recognize the value of new drug while compensating the cost with reduced pricing of off-patent drugs. Considering the cards on the table, MSD has reportedly prepared somewhat of middle ground proposal to persuade the government at the next round of reimbursement deliberation. The global company official stated, “Over the span of two years, the company has been negotiating and narrowing the gap with the government over expanding Keytruda’s reimbursement, and we think the two parties have been engaged enough to have better understanding of each other. Based on the experience, the company is making sure to receive the expanded reimbursement this time.” Keytruda has been listed in August 2017 with a combination of risk sharing agreement (RSA) refund and expenditure cap types under the condition of PD-L1 expression rate. As immunotherapy alone, the drug is even trying to replace chemotherapy for first-line treatment. This holds a great meaning to the anticancer treatment scene. When the reimbursement expands on the drug’s indications, a patient diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, but cannot be treated with targeted therapy due to EGFR mutation, could be instead prescribed with Keytruda.
- Policy
- Cresemba, Pfizer Korea's antifungal drug, approved
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jan 30, 2020 06:34am
- Pfizer Korea obtained the product license of the antifungal drug Cresemba (Isavuconazole Sulfate) in Korea. The drug is expected to have a lower mortality rate than Pfizer's Vfend. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved on the 29th the sale of 'Cresemba capsule 100mg' and 'Cresemba injection 200mg' of Pfizer Korea. Cresemba is licensed for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in adults 18 years of age and older and for invasive hair fungus in which Amphotericin B is not suitable for adults 18 years of age or older. The FDA approved this drug in March 2015. Cresemba is a drug jointly developed by Switzerland's Basilea and Japan's Astellas. Pfizer holds the EU release rights and the Asia-Pacific rights, including Korea. Astellas was approved in the United States and Japan. The drug has been shown to have a lower mortality rate than Voriconazole (generic for Vfend) in clinical trials in 516 patients with invasive aspergillosis. The mortality from all causes at 42 days was 18.6% (48/258) in the Isabuconazole group and 20.2% (52/258) in the Voriconazole group. Aspergillosis is a disease caused by a respiratory infection caused by a fungus called Aspergillus, and occurs when immunity is compromised due to leukemia or chemotherapy. Symptoms include chills, bleeding, chest pain and shortness of breath. Particularly invasive, the infection spread systemically can cause tissue damage, thrombosis, etc. due to impaired blood supply, severe sepsis can cause death. Voriconazole is the generic for Vfend sold by Pfizer. Vfend recorded annual sales of about ₩10 billion (Reference: IQVIA) in Korea. However, in the case of Vfend, Chong Kun Dang turned into a competitive system with the introduction of Vorico, the first generic in 2017. Cresemba is emerging as a new alternative to Vfend. Meanwhile, the MFDS approved MSD Korea's new AIDS treatment drug, Delstrigo (Doravirine-Lamivudine -Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate).
- Policy
- President Moon wearing a mask visited the NMC
- by Kim, Min-Gun Jan 30, 2020 06:33am
- President Moon Jae-in visits the National Medical Center in the morning on the 28th for a briefing on Wuhan pneumonia. Cheong Wa Dae announced at 10:31 am on the 28th that President Moon Jae-in visited the National Medical Center, which is treating a new type of coronavirus infection, and directly inspected the field response system and ordered a total response posture. Mr. Moon made this report at the spot where he received on-site response system reports such as patient selection criteria, response measures, and operation procedures for screening clinics from the Director of National Medical Center Ki-hyun Chung and the Director of operation support team, Yeon-jae Kim. Mr. Moon said, "The government needs to be powerful and speedy enough to evaluate the preemptive measures a little too much, and investigate all persons who have passed through the airport asymptomatically and quarantine those who have confirmed symptoms and take measures to prevent secondary infections as much as possible". President Moon emphasized that such measures should be made transparent to the public to relieve anxiety. In particular, Cheong Wa Dae said that President Moon called for greater awareness of where medical institutions did not use the contact function (to the KCDC or the public health centers) or are not complying with their obligations to do so. President Moon Jae-in visits the National Medical Center on the 28th and checks the field response system. On the other hand, President Moon visited medical staff, screening clinic, negative pressure ambulance, and on-site emergency clinic where mobile X-rays could be taken. He boarded the mobile CT vehicle and listened carefully to the explanations from the director and the officials. In addition, President Moon called for efforts to resolve local anxiety by asking whether the NMC has enough know-how as a nationally-designed quarantine bed when the MERS outbreak occurred.In addition, and the status of securing a nationally designated quarantine bed. President Moon also visited a negative pressure containment ward where a second Korean confirmed patient was admitted to the hospital to check the patient's condition, as well as concerns about the possibility of secondary infections caused by asymptomatic community activities and related measures. President Moon also received reports from the vice director, Im seok Ko, on the status of the wards and the system for responding to infectious diseases at each stage. President Moon asked if there were any concerns about the spread of infections in screening systems, quarantine beds, and negative pressure rooms. This is because inpatients during the MERS outbreak were infected with other patients, clients and medical staff. The vice director said, “The hospital was shut down in a severe stage during the MERS outbreak, treated 60 patients with MERS, and there was no hospital infection at all, and as it is more systematically developed, I don't think there is any possibility of infection in the hospital or transmission of local infections”. President Moon praised the medical staff at the National Medical Center, which had suffered during the New Year's holidays, and said he hopes to deal with it without slowing down until the end.
