Drug export rose, but medical device shipment dropped in 1st quarter

Pharmaceutical exports increased by 17.7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, boosted by an increase in biopharmaceutical and vaccine exports.

On Wednesday, the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) announced the health industry's export performance, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and cosmetics, for the first quarter.

In the first three months, health industry exports totaled $6.52 billion, up 10.2 percent from last year's period. Pharmaceuticals accounted for $2.56 billion, up 17.7 percent year-on-year, while medical devices accounted for $1.39 billion, down 5.0 percent.

Pharmaceutical exports were driven by strong growth in biopharmaceutical exports to Europe, including Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. These exports recorded their largest quarterly growth ever, while medical device exports fell due to a decline in implant exports.

Specifically, biopharmaceuticals and vaccines increased, with biopharmaceutical exports reaching a record $1.67 billion, up 30.2 percent from last year. Vaccine exports increased mainly to Brazil, South Sudan, and Congo.

The foreign shipment of medical devices decreased 5.0 percent year-over-year to $1.39 billion due to a decline in implants, which eclipsed increases in exports of ultrasound imaging devices and medical laser devices.

Exports of ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices increased significantly to China and the United Arab Emirates and medical laser devices to the United States and Thailand, while implant exports to China, the U.S., and the Netherlands decreased significantly.

“Health industry exports continued to grow in the first quarter of 2025, led by cosmetics and pharmaceuticals,” said Lee Byung-kwan, head of the Biohealth Innovation Planning Center at KHIDI. “The growth in health industry exports is expected to continue in the second quarter, with solid demand for key items, including biopharmaceuticals and basic cosmetic products.”

However, Lee added that exporters must respond more flexibly to the growing uncertainty in the foreign trade environment, including changes in U.S. tariff policies.