New product licenses total 196 in first half

Licenses for new products in the first half of this year totaled 196, compared with 497 from a year earlier, showing setback due to implementation of validation system on prescription drugs, which took effect last year.

Of the licenses, prescription drugs accounted for 128, OTCs for 30 and raw materials for 31, the Korea Food and Drug Administration said on July 24.

The health regulator ...