One year has passed since the new antibiotic ‘Zerbaxa’ has been listed for reimbursement in Korea.

At the time, the drug was applied the special exemption of the pharmacoeconomic evaluation system as a National Essential Medicine. The government’s flexible response amid the rise of the global issue of antimicrobial resistance shone through. The drug’s need, although it is not for a ‘life-threatening disease,’ has been recognized.

However, a more serious issue lies ahead. No other new antibiotic has been reimbursed since then. Even when taking into account how Zerbaxa was listed 5 years after its approval, this 1-year gap is a significant time when determining whether the government