Korean patients will soon be able to import limited amounts of hemp-based medicines for self-treatment purposes.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has introduced a system for the rapid import and supply of rare and urgent medical devices, and gave a legal basis for import registration of imported medicines as well as on-site inspections.
The new regulation is part of the 12 amendment on the drugs management, medical devices, and the food sanitation laws passed by the National Assembly on Nov. 23.
The main contents of this report include the establishment of a system for the rapid import and supply of rare and urgent medical devices, authorization of hemp-derived pharmaceuticals for self-treatment purposes, and the introduction of a system to suspend the importation of food that may be dangerous.
Also, foodservice operator will be exempted from administrative disposition if they provide alcohol to minors without prior knowledge of their age.
The laws have been amended to enable the country to quickly supply medical devices that require rare and urgent medical supplies. From now on, it will be possible to receive medical devices for patients suffering from rare diseases such as childhood diabetes and Lou Gehrig's disease.
Also, if there are no nationally licensed replaceable medicines, the government will now allow the import of hemp-derived drugs licensed from foreign regulatory agencies through the Rare Essential Drug Center.
With the amendment of the Narcotic Act, pediatric epilepsy patients can receive appropriate treatment in proper time.
The new amendment has also provided a legal basis for registering and inspecting imported medicines from overseas manufacturers. Foreign makers will have to report any cases related to the detection of foreign substances in medical devices such as syringes and fluid sets.
Regarding the revision of the food sanitation regulation, foodservice operators can avoid administrative disposition if minors use fake or forged identification to order alcohol.
The ministry also imposed new regulations where customs can hold imported food raising concern without inspection.