Earlier this month, the government announced "Comprehensive Measures for Stable Supply of National Essential Drugs." In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the importance of stockpiling and supplying essential medicines has increased, and the government has stepped up.

National essential drugs refer to drugs that are essential for health care, but are difficult to supply stably only with market functions. It will be designated by the MOHW and the MFDS through consultation. Currently, 511 items are designated as national essential medicines.

The government announced a comprehensive measure of the same name in 2016. At that time, instead of COVID-19, MERS served as a catalyst for establishing