Opposition lawmaker raises question about KODC’s raison d’etre

The Korea Orphan and Essential Drug Center (KODC) established to supply essential drugs safely, is not playing its role, an opposition lawmaker pointed out, criticizing it for not knowing the current stockpiles of essential medicines.

Rep. In Jae-keun of the largest opposition Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday that he had asked KODC whether it is capable of responding to emergencies through medical stockpiles, and the center replied, saying, “The above items are not handled by the center.”

The establishment of KODC was one of the comprehensive measures prepared for the safe supply of essential drugs in the country in 2016.

The previous Korea Rare Drug Center was expanded and revised into the Korea Orphan and Essential Drug Center by revising the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to monitor and purchase, stockpile, and distribute national essential medicines at all times

According to Articles 91 and 92 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, KODC is stipulated to carry out projects related to collecting various information related to national essential medicines and establishing a computer network, stockpiling and supplying medical products, establishing a stable supply base, research and development, and supporting safe use.

The KODC website also presents its main tasks concerning national essential drugs, such as database management, operational plans, select candidate drugs on the list as proposed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and related ministries, collecting information at home and abroad, and converting them into the database, developing and distributing information media and establishing computer network, and conducting public PR activities for greater access.

Commenting on the current situation, Rep. In pointed out that it is difficult to understand that the KODC does not grasp the status of essential medicine stockpiling, saying it also does not fit the purpose of establishing the center.

The opposition lawmaker added that at a time when all citizens have suffered and become sensitive due to Covid-19, concerns are mounting over the lack of a national essential drug management system, including infectious disease management drugs.

“The overall work of the KODC should be reviewed to conduct its tasks in accordance with the purpose of its establishment,” Rep. In said. “The authorities responsible for playing the role of a control tower for medicines should cooperate as soon as possible and take measures to grasp the current status and response capabilities concerning the national essential medicines quickly and accurately.