Regulatorische Updates

South Korean health‑civil society groups have formally opposed the government’s plan to extend telemedicine prescription delivery to all patients, citing patient safety and health‑insurance cost concerns.

Medsun Pharma Korea's oxurumoju, SK Biopharm's Excofri, and Korean Janssen's Spravato nasal spray have begun price negotiations for health‑insurance reimbursement, with potential listing after October.

85 drug items with rising claims or usage are expected to face price cuts or adjustments next month after PVA results with the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

Korea Health Insurance Corp announced reduced premiums and additional coverage for lost dentures and disability aids for residents of newly declared special disaster zones.

The Dongjak‑gu Pharmacy Association warned that expanding prescription drug delivery for telemedicine could worsen health‑insurance finances and increase drug misuse, calling for an immediate stop.

Two Dongguk Pharmaceutical Rosutanmet tablet products (500/5 mg and 500/10 mg) will have health‑insurance reimbursement stopped from the 28th after the Daejeon regional authority cancelled their approvals.

Kang Cheong-hee, former head of Korea Public Organization Bank, will assume the chairmanship of the National Health Insurance Service on July 20, 2026 for a three‑year term.

Germany's Bundestag approved a law to stabilize statutory health insurance premiums, expanding high‑income contributors' burden while capping spending on providers and medicines, drawing attention from Korea.

The Bundestag approved a reform that lifts the mandatory discount on original medicines from 7% to 15.5%, despite opposition from pharma groups.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will conduct a 2026 health‑insurance planning survey (Aug‑Oct) targeting pharmacies with frequent false‑claim types, after a two‑year pause.

The National Anti‑Corruption and Civil Rights Commission says the limitation period for health‑insurance claims should be calculated from the reimbursement decision date, not the original treatment date, and urges HIRA to issue new guidelines.

Bonofrazan fumarate, a P‑CAB ulcer medication, has begun price negotiations with Korea’s Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, drawing industry attention to potential patent and reimbursement impacts.