Current Status and Review of Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) in Korea and Canada
10.24304/kjcp.2025.35.3.140
- Author:
Minku KANG
1
Author Information
1. College of Pharmacy, Woosuk University, Wanju-gun, Jeon-Buk 55338, Republic of Korea
- Publication Type:Review Article
- From:Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
2025;35(3):140-165
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) released Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) guidelines in 2011, which have since been adopted in many countries. Korea, in response to changes such as the adoption of a six-year pharmacy education system, developed a draft version of Korea’s Good Pharmacy Practice (KGPP)in 2014. However, this draft has not yet been officially implemented. Accordingly, this review examines the content and direction of the KGPP by referencing best practices from leading jurisdictions such as Canada. Official documents from WHO, FIP,national pharmacy associations, and relevant legislation were analyzed, along with literature on pharmacist-led services such as Medication Therapy Management (MTM). Based on this review, the KGPP presents fewer and less detailed domains, standards, and indicators than are needed to clearly delineate pharmacists’ roles as outlined by WHO. Many provisions are enumerated as discrete activities rather than embedded within an integrated framework, leading to potential ambiguity in interpretation. Thedraft focuses mainly on traditional dispensing functions, offering limited guidance on clinical or cognitive services like MTM.Additionally, while "pharmaceutical care" is mentioned, it is not clearly defined in the draft or related legislation, creating legal and practical uncertainty that may hinder effective implementation of the KGPP. Lessons from other countries indicate that establishing a nationally endorsed GPP framework with clearly defined roles and outcomes is essential. To meet the changing needs of healthcare and pharmacy practice in Korea, prompt revision, formal adoption, and integration of a Korea-specific GPP model arestrongly recommended.
