More than 80 percent of the hospitals were not satisfied with the conditions of purchase and procurement. Many were dissatisfied because of unclear pricing and complicated handlings of many products. New products are being launched, especially medical materials and devices in the cardiac sector, and burdens are increasing for master management of medical materials and hospital goods logistics management system.

There were 21 hospitals that responded standard or common products do not prevail even if they are listed. Although this is a reason for dissatisfaction, efforts to solve the problem are actively made and standard or recommended products are beginning to be discussed in hospitals and with associated hospitals.

There were 41 hospitals, accounting for 61.2 percent, that responded they were not conducting group purchasing. Intention for group purchasing was asked of those that were not conducting group purchasing. Twenty-one hospitals, accounting for 51.2 percent, responded that they want to conduct group purchasing in the future. Hospitals are positive about group purchasing.

The types of current partner hospitals were asked of the hospitals that were conducting group purchasing. Fifty-seven point seven percent responded that they conducted group purchasing “with medical institutions in the same group or between head hospital and branch hospitals, while 15.4% responded “with hospitals in the same municipal bodies.” There were “hospitals and clinics nearby,” “hospitals with similar scale and functions without limiting geographical regions” and “group purchasing conducted by hospital goods and logistics management companies.”

The types of future partner hospitals were asked of the hospitals that were not conducting group purchasing. The largest answer was “hospitals with similar scale and functions without limiting geographical regions.”

The research findings indicate diversification in the conditions of group purchasing. Group purchasing is not limited to the traditional ways, such as among hospital groups or in the same municipal bodies, but is extended to “hospitals and clinics nearby,” which would enable to have the same partner wholesalers and dealers and to induce competitions among the regional providers. There are also alliances among “hospitals with similar scale and functions,” which use similar efficacy and effect drugs and medical devices. Furthermore, there are “hospital goods and logistics management companies.” It is expected that another feature of group purchasing favorable to hospitals will be focused more in addition to scale advantage by encouraging competitions among wholesalers, dealers and manufacturers in the process of aggregating the same kind and efficacy products.