JEONJU, South Korea, June 28, 2025
Revolutionizing Rural Healthcare Access
Jangsu-gun tackles medical deserts with innovative pharmaceutical policies.
- Jangsu-gun designated a ‘pharmaceutical division of exception area’ in Shanseo-myeon.
- Local pharmacies can now sell up to three days of specialty drugs without prescriptions.
- The initiative addresses the inconvenience of residents in medically vulnerable areas.
- Jangsu-gun won the Regulatory Innovation Excellence Case Contest for its efforts.
Jangsu-gun, located in Jeonbuk-do, South Korea, is tackling rural healthcare gaps by designating a ‘pharmaceutical division of exception area,’ which is **aimed at improving medication access** for residents.
In South Korea, the ‘pharmaceutical division’ ensures pharmacists prepare medications according to prescriptions. Generally, doctors can’t directly dispense medicine; a pharmacist must be involved.
Addressing Medical Vulnerability
Shanseo-myeon, part of Jangsu-gun, exemplifies the challenges of rural healthcare. As of May, with a population of just 1,900, the area faced limited access to medical institutions and pharmacies.
When the sole pharmacy experienced operational disruptions, residents had to travel to Imsil-gun Osu-myeon, requiring additional transportation.
Innovative Solution
To alleviate this, Jangsu-gun proposed improvements to central regulations managed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. Following discussions within the Local Regulatory Innovation Committee and consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, they successfully designated a ‘pharmaceutical division of exception area’.
Now, the Sanseo-myeon Health Center can provide immediate medication alongside treatment and prescriptions.
Furthermore, local pharmacies can now dispense up to three days’ worth of specialty medications without a doctor’s prescription, significantly enhancing access to essential medical services.
Recognition and Impact
The initiative in Sanseo-myeon garnered attention for directly addressing the needs of elderly residents in medically underserved areas and offering a potential blueprint for future systems.
Jangsu-gun presented its case, focusing on ‘resolving medical gaps by designating the division of Shanseo-myeon,’ and was lauded for enhancing the quality of life through system improvements.
On the 28th, Jangsu-gun received the title of regulatory innovation leader in Jeonbuk-do at the 1st Jeonbuk-do Regulatory Innovation Excellence Case Contest, held in Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si.
Jangsu-gun was among six exemplary cases chosen from 23 regulatory innovations submitted by 14 cities and counties in Jeonbuk, announced during the event.
The designation in Shanseo-myeon reflects an active administrative approach, prioritizing the perspectives and needs of its residents.
Serving approximately 10% of Jangsu-gun’s population (2,500 residents as of May), the initiative has been well-received. It addresses the difficulties faced by residents who previously had to travel to neighboring areas after receiving treatment at the public health center.
Future Plans
Choi Hoon-sik Jang Soo-gun stated, “We will accelerate solving local medical problems with this award.”
