Background : This study was conducted to investigate the current situation of medical supply purchasing and stock management at general hospitals having more than 150 beds in Korea and to find methods of effective purchasing and optimal stock management. Methods : Survey was done from staff at the purchasing departments of 229 general hospitals throughout Korea. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire between January 3 to March 15, 2001. The survey form was returned from 88 hospitals (rate of return: 38.4%). Results : Firstly, 13.6% of the hospitals did not carry the optimal stock of medical supplies, the lead time optimal stock was 3 weeks or longer in 64.4% of the hospitals. Secondly, since 69.8% of the hospitals showed passive attitude toward training on purchasing management and stock management techniques. Thirdly, as for the question on the presence or absence of a deliberation committee for purchasing of new medical supplies, 60% of the hospitals with less than 300 beds did not have one, and 9.4% of the hospitals opened the deliberation committee less than twice a year. Conclusion : At the time of purchasing new medical supplies, purchasing should be done according to the decision by the deliberation committee so that no deduction is made at the time of claiming insurance, and by setting a certain period of time, purchasing of those medical supplies that were not purchased during this period needs to be done according to the decision by the deliberation committee.