- Opinion
- [Reporter’s View] ‘Selection & Focus’ to foster K-Bios
- by Hwang, byoung woo Nov 4, 2025 06:10am
- The keyword “selection and focus” resurfaced in this year’s National Assembly audit as a core strategy for fostering Korea’s pharmaceutical and bio industry. During the NA audit last month, lawmakers again raised the need for bold investment and full-cycle support for innovative drugs to strengthen Korea’s global competitiveness in
- Opinion
- [Desk View] Unsettling relief from pharma tariff agreement
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Nov 3, 2025 06:09am
- Analysis suggests that the burden of tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector has been significantly alleviated following the settlement of the US-Korea tariff negotiations, which had dragged on for about five months. According to the agreement, the Most Favored Nation (MFN) designation will be granted to synthetic new drugs and biological new d
- Opinion
- [Reporter’s View] The dark side of flashy health campaigns
- by Son, Hyung Min Oct 31, 2025 06:12am
- A breast cancer awareness campaign recently hosted by a certain magazine has sparked controversy. While claiming to promote disease awareness, the atmosphere on site told a different story. Amidst the dazzling lights, music, and flowing drinks, the term “breast cancer” was nowhere to be found. This leaves one wondering what meaning the eve
- Opinion
- [Reporter’s View] China’s rise poses new challenges
- by Hwang, byoung woo Oct 28, 2025 06:11am
- One of the most striking features at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO 2025) Congress in Berlin, Germany, was the clear rise of China. Chinese researchers’ names appeared repeatedly across major sessions, and the word “China” was visible throughout the poster halls. Compared to previous years, more Chinese companies su
- Opinion
- [Reporter's View] Transparent info, the key to vaccine trust
- by Son, Hyung Min Oct 17, 2025 06:11am
- Starting on the 15th of this month, simultaneous administration of COVID-19 and influenza perioperative vaccines has begun for older adults aged 65 and older and high-risk groups. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has informed that the rate of adverse events from simultaneous vaccination does not exceed that seen with
- Opinion
- [Op-Ed] Patients, no time left for 'new drug comb therapies'
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 15, 2025 06:11am
- "My father (in his 60s), who has been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma, is paying 10 million won every three weeks for combination cancer therapy that is non-reimbursed. The disaster medical expense program provided the cost. However, we feel helpless upon the news that the fund is being delayed." This is part of a public complaint file
- Opinion
- [Desk’s View] Lift botulinum toxin’s core tech designation
- by Lee, Seok-Jun Oct 14, 2025 06:40am
- Calls to lift the “national core technology” designation from botulinum toxin are rising once again &8212; and this time, the long-standing issue must be resolved. The industry has been calling for this for a long time. The demand was made in 2023, and again the following year. Yet, it remains stuck in neutral. The decision must now b
- Opinion
- [Reporter's View] 'National Core Tech' status for Botox
- by Hwang, byoung woo Sep 30, 2025 06:13am
- The discussion regarding delisting botulinum toxin as a National Core Technology continues to yield no results. Despite increasing demands from the industry, regulatory reform has not improved. The arguments for and against lifting the listing continue, and the discussion has not advanced. In a National Assembly forum on September 29,
- Opinion
- [Desk’s View] MFDS should clarify AAP safety message
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Sep 29, 2025 06:08am
- Unforeseen moves by U.S. President Donald Trump are having a considerable impact in Korea. After sudden tariff hikes rattled the Korean economy, an unexpected drug safety issue has now emerged. The domestic healthcare market, which is reliant on overseas drugs, is reeling from Trump-related risks. The controversy began on the 22nd whe
- Opinion
- [Reporter’s View] The gap between innovation and access
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 26, 2025 06:12am
- Advances in medicine have created pivotal turning points in the course of human survival. Diseases once deemed incurable are gradually being reclassified as chronic conditions. From anticancer drugs to treatments for rare diseases and immunotherapies, innovative new drugs have not only prolonged patients’ lives but also increased the bur
