South Korea's pharmaceutical industry is intensifying efforts to develop and market respiratory treatments as lung function tests become part of the national health screening program this year. The expanded screening is expected to trigger a surge in treatment demand by enabling early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition that has long suffered from low public awareness.
According to industry sources, the pulmonary function test (PFT) was officially added to the general health examination items following a partial overhaul of the national screening system this year. Citizens aged 56 and 66 will now have the opportunity to detect respiratory diseases such as COPD at an early stage. Despite its high prevalence, COPD is difficult for patients to recognize on their own, prompting calls for a national early diagnosis framework.
Market research firm Spherical Insights estimates Korea's respiratory therapeutics market at approximately $1.28 billion (1.8 trillion won) in 2024, projected to grow to about $3.3 billion (4.7 trillion won) by 2035.
Major pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their moves. Korea United Pharm is pushing ahead with development of "Ceretrol Activair," an asthma and COPD treatment, targeting a June launch.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical has begun domestic distribution and promotional activities for a COPD treatment under a recent co-marketing agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim. Daewoong Pharmaceutical is strengthening sales of "THE SPIROKIT," a digital pulmonary function testing device that analyzes patients' breathing patterns in real time.
"The lung function test is expected to increase the number of potential airway disease patients suspected of having asthma and COPD, which carry high prevalence, mortality rates and socioeconomic burdens," an industry official said. "Treatment will expand even at primary care facilities for early-stage, asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic asthma and COPD patients identified through screening."