Seoul: The amount of compensation paid to victims of drug side effects in South Korea declined in 2024 for the first time in six years, government data showed Sunday. The government collected 4.75 billion won (US$3.5 million) last year from 760 pharmaceutical companies for the national drug side effects relief fund, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the relief program provides financial support to individuals or bereaved families of those who suffer death, disability, or illness caused by adverse drug reactions. Financial assistance includes lump-sum payments for death or disability, medical expenses, and funeral costs.

In 2024, compensation was paid out for 161 cases, reaching 1.84 billion won, down 18.3 percent from 2.25 billion won a year earlier, the data showed. The decline is mainly due to a decrease in compensation for deaths linked to side effects and lack of public awareness of the program.

“As payouts accounted for only 38.7 percent of the funds collected last year, the government should more actively promote the program through hospitals, medical professionals and pharmacies,” an industry official said.