Despite the economic downturn amid Covid-19 this year, the nation’s output of finished pharmaceutical products has expanded to surpass 10 trillion won ($9.16 million) in the first half, government data showed.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on Thursday that the combined production of finished medicines increased 5.1 percent on-year to reach 10 trillion and 90 billion won in the first six months of 2020.

The growth of prescription drugs drove up the overall output. The production of prescription drugs climbed 6 percent to 8.5 trillion won, and that of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, 0.9 percent to 1.59 trillion won.

By efficacy, arteriosclerosis treatments grew the fastest with an 8.4 percent on-year increase to 848.1 billion won, followed by hypertension drugs with 6.6 percent to 661.8 billion won. Antibiotics expanded 5.8 percent to 586.2 billion won, analgesic, anti-inflammatory drugs, 5.5 percent to 522.1 billion won, and peptic ulcer medicines, 5.3 percent to 536.1 billion.

The top 20 medicines with the largest production accounted for 45.3 percent (4.57 trillion won). The proportion was similar to that of the last year at 46.1 percent.

By company, Hanmi Pharmaceutical recorded the largest output, manufacturing 511.8 billion won worth of drugs in the first half, up 4.2 percent year-on-year. Next came Chong Kun Dang with 429.5 billion won, trailed by Daewoong Pharmaceutical with 317.1 billion won, GC Pharma with 311.3 billion won, and HK inno.N with 303.9 billion won.

“The integrated drug information system enabled an automated data analysis. So, we will release the results of the drug output often,” Food and Drug Safety Minister Kim Gang-lip said.

The drug production grew from last year even in difficult situations such as Covid-19 because local drugmakers made efforts to expand the drug supply, he said.

“As people’s interest in health has increased, I hope pharmaceutical companies can enhance drug safety and quality control,” he added.

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