Abstract
Preconditions for the separation of prescribing and dispensing medicinal herbs in Traditional Korean Medicine are classification of medicinal herbs for general public and special medical uses, establishment of national medicinal herb distribution company of governmental base, restriction in purchase of medicinal herbs for special medical use, partnership between doctors and pharmacists of Traditional Korean Medicine, and coverage of herbal medicine-based medication in national health insurance, etc. The number of Traditional Korean Medicine Pharmacists which was born during 'the herbal medicine conflict' initiated in 1993, goes over 1,000 and will increase by 120 annually. The number of Traditional Korean Medical Doctors is over 17,000 and increases by 850 annually. So in order to engage partnership between two groups, the government have to arrange the number of outputs of each group. Standardization and classification of diagnosis and diseases in Traditional Korean Medicine is a matter of course in the separation of prescribing and dispensing medicinal herbs. Related societies and academies need to do researches with governmental fund first. After these works, we can launch a task force team for implementation of process for the separation of prescribing and dispensing medicinal herbs in Traditional Korean Medicine properly. Entering the national health insurance system for full coverage of Korean Medicine care service will be essential for the patients. Implementation the separation of prescribing and dispensing medicinal herbs in Traditional Korean Medicine would be the core of health insurance coverage for medication.