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Civil activists hold a candle-light gathering against a FTA between South Korea and the U.S. on October 22.
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Gov’t bodies pressure each other on drug pricing issue, lawmaker says
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade reportedly sent an official letter to the Ministry of Health and Welfare to urge it to accept key demands made by the U.S. regarding drug pricing and health insurance legislation during the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the U.S. Rep. Hyun Ae-ja from the Democratic Labor Party disclosed the alleged letter to the press. In it, the foreign ministry advises the health ministry to establish an independent body that would have the authority to review the government’s pricing policy for medications. South Korea and the U.S. have held three rounds of talks on a free trade agreement (FTA), with another round scheduled this week. Concerns about pharmaceutical pricing have been a major issue of contention during the FTA talks, with critics saying that the U.S. demands would result in high drug prices and insurance premiums for South Korea. The contents of the foreign ministry’s letter are in line with the demands that the U.S. and a group of multinational have made to the Seoul government. South Korean civic groups have opposed the demands, saying that the formation of an independent organization could lead to stronger influence by foreign drug makers over government decisions on whether to include a drug under insurance coverage and on the overall drug pricing process."It is bizarre for the nation’s foreign ministry to represent the stance of the U.S. and other multinational drug makers," Hyun said. "It is worrisome that Seoul negotiators would accept the entirety of Washington’s demands in the pharmaceutical field." A health ministry official echoed the same concerns, saying, "Sending such a letter represents a hastiness that puts emphasis only on the signing of the FTA."
