Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Policy of Government and Directivity

The Korean Government has launched a pilot program of the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) system in an effort to facilitate safe and adequate use of pharmaceuticals by providing reference to physicians and pharmacists at the prescription or dispense stage, with regards to the drugs that should not be combined or should not be given to certain age groups. Implementation of the DUR system is absolutely necessary in Korea, as the number of drug taken per patient is on a continuous rise with increase of senior population and development of new pharmaceuticals. The DUR system is expected to contribute to promotion of people's health and reduction of pharmaceutical expense. However, for a successful establishment of the DUR system, the following conditions should be considered: First, inclusion of non-prescription drugs in the system, Second, review on the current classification of non-prescription and prescription drugs, Third, review on therapeutic duplication contraindication, age contraindication, and gravida contraindication by physicians as clinical experts. Moreover, reimbursement within the framework on medical fee schedule for the DUR system should be followed as well as the efforts to adjust problems through open discussion between insurers and providers.