'Drug access still stagnant despite improved survival'

"Patient survival rates have improved significantly, but access to new drugs remains stagnant in Korea”

Introduction of global innovative drugs in Korea at only one-fourth the OECD average

KRPIA “Patients cannot access new drugs without institutional and process innovation”

While innovative new drugs have raised survival rates for patients with cancer, rare diseases, and other difficult-to-treat conditions and are transforming the treatment paradigms, industry voices argue that domestic patients' access to such drugs remains limited.

 

Both the introduction rate and approval rate of global new drugs fall short of the OECD average, highlighting the urgent need for fundamental institutional reforms.

 

On the 24th, the Korean Research-based Pharmaceutical Industry Association (KRPIA) held a commemorative event at Some Chavit in Banpo, Seoul, to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

 

At this event, KRPIA held a roundtable event to share the current status of patient access to global new drugs in Korea.

 

Just 20 years ago, cancer was considered untreatable.

 

However, with the rise of innovative drugs from multinational pharmaceutical companies—including immuno-oncology therapies, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and bispecific antibodies—the landscape has changed dramatically.

 

In some cancer types, survival rates have now improved to 70–80%, rendering the new drugs a prime example of extending patient life.

 

In-hwa Choi, Executive Director of KRPIA

20 million people are newly diagnosed with cancer globally each year, and this number is projected to nearly double by 2050.

 

The number of deaths is also expected to reach 18 million.

 

Consequently, sustained and equitable access to innovative cancer drugs is more critical than ever.

 

In-hwa Choi, Executive Director of KRPIA, stated, “Fundamental system improvements that prioritize patient access are necessary.

 

While Korea’s health insurance system is exemplary, its single-payer structure creates inherent complexity and delays in reimbursement decisions for new drugs.” Choi acknowledged recent policy efforts—including expanded risk-sharing arrangements, exemption of pharmacoeconomic evaluations, and pilot programs linking drug approval with reimbursement—as positive developments.

 

Choi noted, “Patients are still left with a long await.” KRPIA member companies supply around 1,450 innovative medicines in Korea, accounting for 83% of all new drugs in the domestic market.

 

They also provide 92 treatments for rare and intractable diseases, expanding access for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, women, and children.

 

KRPIA analyzed that new drugs extend patients' life expectancy by over 35%, reduce cancer mortality rates, and facilitate social reintegration, yielding annual socio-economic cost savings of KRW 126 trillion.

 

Young-Shin Lee, Vice Chairman of KRPIA

Nevertheless, patient access to new drugs in Korea remains stagnant.

 

Only 5% of global innovative drugs are introduced in Korea within a year of launch, just one-fourth of the OECD average.

 

Korea’s drug approval rate (30%) also falls below the OECD average (49%) and the G20 average (46%).

 

Young-Shin Lee, Vice Chairman of KRPIA, stressed, “Innovation cannot be achieved by merely altering existing garments.

 

The link connecting innovation to patients is the system; without systemic improvements, new drugs cannot meaningfully reach patients.“ The government, National Assembly, academia, media, and patients must jointly seek institutional solutions to ensure the social value of innovative drugs is properly conveyed to patients.

 

KRPIA will also continue communication and cooperation as a responsible policy partner."