[Editorial] Medical rebates

When 13 medical, pharmaceutical and medical instruments industry organizations held a joint rally last week to pledge to put an end to the practice of rebates between the medical goods suppliers and doctors, the Korea Medical Association, a powerful organization of doctors, did not take part. The KMA’s excuse was that the declarative action would have little effect and participating in such a move was like admitting that all doctors are corrupt.

The body of nearly 100,000 medical doctors was in fact protesting the ongoing investigation into the prevalent kickbacks between pharmaceutical firms and clinics and hospitals by a joint team of prosecutors and administration officials. The KMA has also been strongly critical of the Medical Services Law revision last year to punish both the “giver” and “receiver” of money or any other form of reward for the prescription of specific drugs.

Rebuffing KMA’s position, the joint investigation team announced last weekend that it had confirmed the involvement of 1,644 medical doctors and 393 pharmacists in rebate cases and delivered their list to the Ministry of Health and Welfare for appropriate punishment. It was the result of a probe over the past five months.

The KMA still argues that, while it recognizes the need for further “purifying” of the medical business, the practice of rebates is an inevitable phenomenon under the market economy. It is even calling for a return to the old system of direct purchasing and dispensing of drugs by doctors and hospitals, instead of the present prescription-based buying of drugs by patients.

These pronouncements lead us to doubts over the ethical standards of (Western medicine) doctors in this country beyond disappointment with their extreme professional egotism. Within the KMA itself, the present executive body is facing criticism for its allegedly arbitrary management of the organization. The dispute led to the ugly scene of KMA president Kyung Man-ho being pelted with eggs and fish sauce while he was presiding over a recent convention.

Frequent contention between medical doctors, pharmacists and Oriental doctors in their limitless pursuit of self-interest has lowered trust in these professions responsible for protecting public health. We call on the KMA to join earnestly in the current campaign to end the deplorable practice of rebates, which significantly contributes to the rise of medical costs.