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http://dx.doi.org/10.25153/spkom.2022.26.1.003

The National Health Insurance Scheme for Herbal Medicines in Japan  

Hyun, Eunhye (Department of Korean Medical Science, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Lim, Byungmook (Division of Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine / v.26, no.1, 2022 , pp. 25-41 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background & Objectives : As the government of South Korea implemented policies to strengthen health insurance coverage, the health insurance benefit for raw herbal medicines has been promoted. This study investigated the current status of the herbal medicines coverage in the Japanese national health insurance to secure reference data for the design of herbal medicines coverage in South Korea. Methods : Literature review was conducted to collect and analyze the history and current situation on herbal medicines coverage in the Japanese health insurance system. To supplement the contents not presented in the documents, on-site interviews were conducted at the medical institutions and pharmacies that prescribed or prepared herbal medicines in Tokyo, Japan. The contents of the survey included the background and progress of the herbal medicines coverage, the status of herbal medicines use, the payment system, and the safety management of herbal medicines. Results : Since the introduction of health insurance in the 1960s, Japanese insurance system has covered herbal medicines, and so far, it has been maintained without any additional restrictions. When the raw herbal medicines are prescribed to outpatients, the preparation fee is set higher than that of other medicines, but overall payment regulations and systems for herbal medicine are generally the same as other medicines. Conclusions : The case of Japan can be a useful references and implications for national health insurance policy on herbal medicines in south Korea.
Keywords
Herbal medicine; Japan; National health insurance; Korean Medicine; Kampo;
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