Promotion of the government's plan for advancing

certified professionals

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance has been promoting a plan for advancing certified professionals, such as profit-making corporate pharmacies, non-pharmacists' investment to pharmacy, and general drug sales in places other than pharmacy, and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association is facing it to stop the plan.

Since the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs has opposed against the plan for advancing certified professionals of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance for the reason that the distinct characteristics of health care should be considered, besides, the opinion between both ministries has not been mediated yet.

Kim Koo, the president of Korean Pharmaceutical Association, said that the association will stop the plan at all costs because pharmacists' obligations are at risk.