The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) announced on Tuesday that it is seeking organizations to implement the 2026 Biohealth Supply Chain Stability Support Project until February 23.
This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive stabilization system to address supply chain vulnerabilities in the biohealth industry. The project encompasses five key areas, including production facilities, raw material procurement, and stockpiling systems.
Recognizing the structural challenges in the pharmaceutical supply chain, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and KHIDI have secured a budget of 156 billion KRW (approximately 105.5 million USD) by expanding existing programs and introducing new projects for multifaceted support.
Last year’s Support for Expanding Production Facilities and Equipment for Suppliers of Medications with Supply Instability program assisted BORYUNG QUESTRAN POWDER FOR SUSPENSION (cholestyramine resin).
This medication, the only hyperlipidemia treatment in South Korea safe for pregnant women and children, faced a supply disruption in 2023 due to profitability issues.
The project supported the establishment of a new production line at Boryung’s Ansan factory, with product approval and resumed production expected in the first half of this year.
This year’s program has been revised to offer subsidies for up to two years based on first-year evaluations, considering the time required for corporate demand and equipment setup. The number of supported companies will increase to four.
Two new initiatives are being introduced: Support for Diversifying Raw Material Purchases, which aids collaborations between raw material and finished product manufacturers to localize active pharmaceutical ingredients, and Support for Stockpiling Essential Medicines to prepare for potential crises.
The project will also strengthen the raw material supply chain through Support for User Testing of Bio Raw Materials and Support for Manufacturing Domestic Raw Materials, promoting the use of locally produced materials in biopharmaceuticals.
Kim Yong-woo, head of the Pharmaceutical and Bio Industry Division at KHIDI, stated that it hopes this initiative will provide tangible benefits to the companies and contribute to building a sustainable supply chain for medicines and raw materials. It encourages strong interest and participation in this project.