The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it will launch a “direct delivery service for medical supplies” starting Monday, aimed at supporting rare disease patients who are having difficulty procuring essential items due to supply chain disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare will begin a direct delivery service for medical supplies to patients with rare diseases starting Monday, in partnership with a telemedicine platform. (Credit: Getty Images)
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong made the announcement during a meeting held at Seoul National University Hospital’s Rare Disease Center. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Korean Organization for Rare Diseases, medical professionals, and officials from the telemedicine platform Soldoc.
The ministry confirmed that the service, linked with Soldoc, will be implemented immediately.
Many rare disease patients who manage their conditions at home with items such as syringes and infusion sets have faced growing challenges due to rising prices and shortages of medical supplies driven by ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
To address this, the ministry has partnered with Soldoc, a telemedicine platform equipped with a system that verifies whether users are eligible rare disease patients through integration with the national health insurance system. Unlike general online marketplaces, the platform ensures that only qualified patients or their caregivers can purchase medical supplies.
Once eligibility is confirmed via the platform’s website or mobile app, users can order products directly. Non-reimbursable medical supplies can be purchased and delivered via courier after payment.
For reimbursable items that require a physician’s prescription, patients must first consult a doctor through telemedicine before purchasing. In such cases, the service provider will handle reimbursement claims to the National Health Insurance Service, and patients will only pay the applicable out-of-pocket portion.
The platform will initially offer essential items for home-based care for rare diseases, including syringes, infusion sets, suction tips, suction catheters, sterile saline, and alcohol swabs.
The ministry and Soldoc plan to expand eligibility to include patients with severe and intractable diseases, as well as children receiving medical expense support, if needed. In urgent cases, the government is also considering expanding the service to include the delivery of prescription medications.
Telemedicine in Korea is set to be formally implemented in December 2026, following amendments to the Medical Service Act passed in December 2025. The revised law permits telemedicine for certain groups, including patients with rare diseases. Notably, these patients will be allowed to receive telemedicine services, including from hospital-level institutions, as well as the delivery of medications and medical supplies.
Until the law takes effect, the ministry plans to strengthen telemedicine-based essential healthcare services, prioritizing those in urgent need.
Minister Jeong said, “We will ensure that no one feels neglected or anxious simply because their condition is rare. The government and society will take responsibility.” She added that the ministry will assess the financial burden of medical supplies and provide support if necessary.
Park Gi-taek
댓글
0