Pharmacy Daily | Dispensary Corner 28 Sep 22

GETTING medications to patients in need is a priority for governments around the world, and North Korea is no exception.

While the Australian Federal Government is aiming to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of medicines to improve access through the nation's network of pharmacist-owned stores, the North Korean regime is taking a more hands-on approach, building new state-controlled pharmacies.

Under the scheme being rolled out by the "Peerlessly Great Man", Kim Jong-Un, the new model for North Korean pharmacy will cut out private medication retailers.

The reclusive regime has described the current system of patients purchasing prescription medicines through private drug merchants as an "outdated phenomenon", stemming from "an improperly functioning state healthcare system", the Daily NK reported.

A source said the pharmacy building efforts were vital to achieving Kim's goals.

Despite the worthy aim of boosting access to medicines for North Koreans, the campaign is not being universally lauded by people across the hermit kingdom, with sources reporting that residents in some areas have complained that they were "being hit with building pharmacies on top of the residential and factory construction they were already doing, and they don't have the supplies or labour".