South Korea widens insurance coverage for rare disease, cancer drugs

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced an expansion of health‑insurance reimbursement for medicines treating severe and rare diseases. The Dravet syndrome medication Fintepla‑Ac obtained insurance coverage after 126 days through a pilot program that combined approval, assessment and price negotiation, cutting the usual timeline by about half. Reimbursement eligibility was also broadened for therapies used in blood cancers and pediatric leukemia. The ministry added that it will support stable supply of essential medicines that face potential shortages.