South Korea to introduce additional measures to national telemedicine pilot

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare will be introducing additional measures to its national telemedicine pilot.

According to a media statement, the programme is now allowing the conduct of telemedicine services at night and on holidays.

Patients who have had face-to-face treatment within the past six months from a clinic can now also access telemedicine.

About 100 islands and remote areas where health services remain inaccessible have also been designated as “medically vulnerable areas” where telemedicine can also be provided.

Moreover, the programme prohibits downloading original prescriptions through a telemedicine application to prevent falsification. Recently, it was brought to the ministry’s attention that some providers had prescribed commonly abused medications, violating the telemedicine rule. Healthcare IT News