The Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) will convene a week earlier than scheduled. The DREC review evaluates the appropriateness of new drugs for reimbursement.

Industry analysis suggests that the schedule has changed to quickly list the COVID-19 treatment 'Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir·ritonavir, Pfizer Korea)' for reimbursement. Previously, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho KyooHong stated that, due to the COVID-19 resurgence, Paxlovid will be reimbursed beginning in October.

According to industry sources on August 22nd, the 9th DREC review for 2024 will convene on August 29th, a week earlier than the initially planne