Under the new regulations, veterinarians will be required to set up a veterinary prescription management program and issue electronic prescriptions. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The future is pet-friendly when it comes to medical prescriptions, as least in South Korea.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it will implement a revision to the Veterinary License Act starting Friday.
The current regulations in place to prevent the misuse and abuse of medications for animals rely on a system of handwritten prescriptions.
However, the recent increase in the number of prescriptions for animals requires a faster understanding of prescriptions and has prompted stronger safety measures related to animal medications, the reason behind the revision.
Under the new regulations, veterinarians will be required to set up a veterinary prescription management program and issue electronic prescriptions.
Penalties will be imposed for violations.
If an electronic prescription is not issued or the prescription system is not registered, a fine of 200,000 won (US$165) will be charged for the first time, 400,000 won for the second violation, and 800,000 won for a third violation if the input is not properly entered.
For false registration and manipulation of inputs, fines of 400,000 won will be imposed for the first offence, 800,000 won for the second, and 1 million won for the third.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
