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 expansion is expected to trigger a surge in treatment demand as more cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), previously underdiagnosed due to low awareness, are detected early.
According to industry sources on the 2nd, the national health screening system was partially revised this year, officially incorporating pulmonary function tests (PFT) into general checkups. Citizens aged 56 and 66 will now have the opportunity to detect respiratory diseases such as COPD at an early stage. Despite high prevalence rates, COPD has been difficult for patients to self-diagnose, prompting calls for a national early detection system.
Market research firm Spherical Insights estimates South Korea's respiratory treatment market at approximately $1.28 billion (1.8 trillion won) in 2024, projected to grow to roughly $3.3 billion (4.7 trillion won) by 2035.
Major pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their moves. Korea United Pharm is pushing to develop "Ceretrol Activair," an asthma and COPD treatment, targeting a June launch.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical has begun domestic distribution and marketing of 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.
"Lung function tests are expected to increase the number of potential airway disease patients suspected of having asthma and COPD, which carry high prevalence, mortality rates and socioeconomic burden," an industry official said. "Treatment will expand at primary care facilities for early-stage, asymptomatic or mild cases of asthma and COPD detected through screening."