Article 23-2 of the current Pharmaceutical Affairs Act mandates that each pharmacist confirm drug information in advance when dispensing drugs pursuant to Article 23 (3). 

In order to provide support for the verification of such drug information, the Minister of Health and Welfare shall provide drug safety information on the duplication of identical ingredients and contraindications via the Drug Utilization Review, but its use has not been mandated since the method of verification of drug information was delegated by an  Ordinance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 

Accordingly, the Amendment aims to formulate legal grounds for mandating that pharmacists use the real-time information system to ensure verification of the information pertaining to the safety of drugs, such as determining whether the drug is contraindicated for the patient’s age or when used concomitantly with another drug the patient is taking, to secure the effectiveness of DUR inspections. Furthermore, the Amendment aims to protect public health from the side effects of hazardous adverse reactions and unsafe use of drugs (Article 23-2 and Article 98 (1) 3-2 newly inserted). 

Mandate that pharmacists use the real-time information system to ensure that they have information pertaining to the safety of drugs by determining whether the drug is contraindicated for the patient’s age or concomitant use with any drug the patient is already taking when dispensing a drug (Article 23-2 and Article 98 (1) 3-2 newly inserted).