The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the National Assembly Expert Committee Office approved of a bill to remove the MFDS narcotics pre-return approval procedure.

The bill received the nod prior to the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee’s review. When it is passed, the pharmacists’ convenience in returning the narcotic products would be improved.

On Jan. 12, the National Assembly Expert Committee Office disclosed the review report on Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Woni’s bill to abolish the narcotics pre-return approval procedure.

Lawmaker Kim urged that the pre-return approval is unnecessary, as MFDS operates the Narcotics Information Management Sy