In 2012, Soliris, a treatment for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), was listed for reimbursement in Korea. The drug, which cost more than KRW 5 million per vial and up to KRW 500 million for a year's supply, sparked controversy over "ultra-high-priced drugs” at the time.

Since then, drugs more expensive than Soliris were introduced and reimbursed one after another. Novartis' Kymriah and Zolgensma were two representative examples. Zolgensma is listed at KRW 1.982 billion per kit, and Kymriah at KRW 360 million per treatment.

Although the number of doses required per drug varies, as of the end of last year, a total of 26 drugs cost more per unit than Soliris. Among them, Biogen'