South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs And Devices Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2020 - 2031 |
|---|---|
| Forecast Data Period | 2026 - 2031 |
| Historical Data Period | 2020 - 2024 |
| Growth Rate | 3.18% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. | |
South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs And Devices Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs and Devices Market size is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 3.18% during the forecast period.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the diabetes care device market. The prevalence of diabetes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and evidence that improved glycemic control may improve outcomes and shorten hospital stays in patients with SARS-CoV-2 has led to a reduction in diabetes mellitus. The importance of therapeutic equipment is emphasized. The pandemic has also highlighted opportunities to continue and expand innovation in diabetes care through virtual consultations between healthcare providers and people with diabetes and the use of diabetes technology. Crisis management has led to unprecedented interest in telemedicine from patients and providers, removing many long-standing regulatory barriers. The prevalence of adult diabetes is high in South Korea, and the economic burden of diabetes is greater than that of cancer. Complications of diabetes and associated comorbidities and hospitalizations are associated with the high cost of diabetes, a cost factor. Treating patients with diabetic complications requires effective strategies to reduce the use of medical resources and the financial burden. Increased information on the extent and specific factors of the economic burden of diabetes in South Korea is expected to encourage health policymakers to prioritize prevention and treatment and allocate more healthcare resources to diabetes.
Diabetes is associated with many health complications. A diabetic need to monitor his blood sugar and make corrections many times throughout the day to maintain his nominal blood sugar, such as administering additional insulin or consuming other carbohydrates. Diabetes is a growing health burden nationwide and is a leading cause of premature death, morbidity, and loss of economic growth.
Thus, the above factors are expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.
Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of 2026.
South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs And Devices Market Trends and Insights
The continuous Glucose Monitoring Segment is Expected to Witness the Highest Growth Rate Over the Forecast Period
The continuous blood glucose monitoring segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 9.4% during the forecast period.
Continuous blood glucose monitoring is a popular alternative to standard portable finger glucose meters for people with diabetes. Continuous blood glucose monitoring sensors use glucose oxidase to measure blood glucose levels. Glucose oxidase converts glucose to hydrogen peroxidase, which reacts with platinum in the sensor to send an electrical signal to a transmitter. Various promising glucose sensor technologies are being developed, ranging from traditional electrochemical glucose sensors to new optical and other electrical glucose sensors, positively impacting the market growth. The sensor's transmitter sends blood glucose readings to a reader, receiver, or smartphone app. Receivers collect data from transmitters and display the results in various user interfaces. According to the manufacturer, different components of CGM devices have different functions. These devices may need to be applied to the skin and may be visible. Transmitter batteries are available, both disposable and rechargeable. This market segment is driven by the increasing use of CGM devices by diabetics, increasing underlying causes of diabetes, product availability in the market, benefits of these commodities, and Japanese consumption of CGM devices for use. It is expected to grow as people become more aware.
Korea's National Health Insurance is a unified compulsory health insurance system administered by the Korean government that provides medical insurance to almost all Korean citizens. South Korea's NHIS database includes socio-demographic information, access to medical services, medical billing, and health check-ups. Koreans must be registered with NHIS as having type 1 diabetes before claiming insurance reimbursement, whether expendable or CGMS. The patient only needs to confirm this by calling her NHI call center in a day or two, but the patient's doctor can also do this. The Korean required her NHI refund form, prescription, receipt, and statement to request a refund for CGM durables.
Factors such as the increasing prevalence of diabetes and increasing efforts by public and private organizations are expected to propel the market growth in this country during the forecast period.
Rising diabetes prevalence
Diabetes is a major public health problem and one of the astounding challenges facing healthcare systems across South Korea. The prevalence of known type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the Korean adult population is high, and many patients still have not been diagnosed with the disease. Aging and unhealthy lifestyles (people with diabetes have a higher percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates than non-diabetics, whereas people with diabetes have a lower percentage of energy intake from protein and fat) have increased the risk of type 2. The prevalence of diabetes is higher among people with diabetes. It is expected to increase steadily over the next few years. Quality care, including appropriate surveillance, risk factor management, and active self-management, is critical to preventing complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
The frequency of monitoring blood glucose levels depends on the type of diabetes and is different for each patient. People with type 1 diabetes should have their blood sugar checked regularly, monitor their blood sugar levels, and adjust their insulin dosage accordingly. The high prevalence of type 2 diabetes comes with a significant economic burden. The cost of diabetes increases in patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia and in those who develop complications.
South Korea's medical device market regulator, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, will introduce several amendments to the country's medical device law and expand the list of eligible devices that can be used for electronic labeling. The prevalence of remote patient monitoring devices in the Korean market supports clinical research studies in local clinical research institutions, facilitates monitoring, and expedites discovery.
The increasing diabetes prevalence and the above factors will likely drive segment growth over the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
Manufacturers have always innovated to survive in the industry. Big industries, as an example, Abbott and Medtronic, have made abundant mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to secure industry dominance while adhering to biological development techniques. The manufacturers of insulin delivery equipment are spending substantial amounts on the R&D of the gadgets. For example, Novo Nordisk partnered with Abbott Diabetes Care, which may also aid in enabling insulin data to be shared between Novo Nordisk-connected insulin pens and digital health trappings well qualified to the FreeStyle Libre portfolio of cosmetics.
South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs And Devices Industry Leaders
Medtronics
Roche
NovoNordisk
Sanofi
Omnipod
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Market Opportunities and Future Outlook
Opportunities in South Korea diabetes care drugs and devices are tied to broader access to advanced monitoring and connected delivery, supported by the country's single-payer environment. National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) reimbursement pathways for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pump therapy can reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients and support wider uptake of sensors, receivers, and related consumables, while also increasing the value of services that simplify claims documentation and post-initiation support.
A second opportunity area is localized supply and distribution for both devices and drugs. Domestic manufacturers, including i-SENS (with disclosed annual capacity of 2.2 billion test strips), point to established depth in conventional glucose monitoring and can serve as a base for further localization of newer CGM and connected-care components. On the channel side, specialist distributors and service providers (for example, DKSH Healthcare in South Korea) provide infrastructure for market access, logistics, and provider engagement that can help accelerate product rollouts, including digital workflows linked to telemedicine-style follow-up and remote patient monitoring practices referenced in care delivery.
Recent Industry Developments
- May 2026: Novo Nordisk received MFDS approval for Kyinsu (insulin icodec/semaglutide), a once-weekly basal insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonist combination therapy for adults with type 2 diabetes. The market-entry approval of a fixed-dose weekly combo broadens Korea's options for combination diabetes therapy. It also supports patient adherence and expands Novo Nordisk's Korea portfolio with a long-acting regimen.
- April 2026: JW Pharmaceutical signed a licensing agreement with Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals (China) for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Bofanglutide (GZR18), a biweekly GLP-1 agonist, in South Korea. The licensing provides strategic access to a GLP-1 agonist in Korea. It supports pipeline access and a stronger position in the Korean diabetes care market.
- March 2026: Chong Kun Dang received MFDS product approval for Duviempol Extended Release Tablet, a triple fixed-dose combination (lobeglitazone, empagliflozin, and metformin) for type 2 diabetes. The approval introduces a new triple FDC option in Korea. It could alter competitive dynamics among combination therapies.
Research Methodology Framework and Report Scope
Market Definition and Coverage
This market covers the total spending in South Korea on diabetes care medicines and patient-use devices used to treat and manage blood glucose, including prescription drug therapies and insulin delivery and glucose monitoring equipment.
Scope exclusions: We exclude hospital lab analyzers used for diagnostic chemistry testing and products used only for diabetes complications (for example, neuropathy or nephropathy drugs).
Segmentation Overview
- Devices
- Monitoring Devices
- Self-monitoring Blood Glucose Devices
- Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring
- Management Devices
- Insulin Pump
- Insulin Syringes
- Insulin Cartridges
- Disposable Pens
- Monitoring Devices
- Drugs
- Oral Anti-Diabetes Drugs
- Insulin Drugs
- Combination Drugs
- Non-Insulin Injectable Drugs
Data Sources, Market Sizing, and Validation
Desk Research
We started by building a structured view of the diabetes care demand pool in South Korea, then mapped it to observable healthcare system signals. Public sources such as Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) statistics, National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) coverage notices, and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) reimbursement and pricing references were used to understand treated population counts, access pathways, and pricing ceilings.
To ground device and drug adoption patterns, we also reviewed sources such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approvals and safety alerts, OECD health statistics, and peer reviewed clinical and health economics studies on diabetes prevalence and treatment intensification. These were complemented with company filings, earnings decks, and reputable Korean healthcare press for product launch timing and policy changes. Where needed, paid databases were used for company financial intelligence and patent tracking to cross-check portfolio presence and innovation activity. The desk sources listed are illustrative, and many additional sources were referred to for data collection, validation, and clarification.
Primary Interviews and Surveys
Primary work was used to confirm how therapies and devices are used in practice, and which parts are reimbursed versus paid out of pocket. We spoke with a mix of clinicians, diabetes educators, pharmacists, distributors, and local industry experts to validate assumptions around insulin initiation, oral therapy sequencing, CGM eligibility, and replacement cycles for consumables. Since this is a country-focused study, the outreach was centered on South Korea, with checks across major care settings from tertiary hospitals to home care.
Distribution of primary research fieldwork respondents
| Company type | Respondent position | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Top tier: 28% | CXOs: 12% | |
| Mid tier: 54% | Functional/Unit leaders: 28% | |
| Smaller Players: 18% | Managers: 60% |
Market-Sizing & Forecasting
Sizing was built using a top-down approach where treated patient counts and care pathways were translated into annual demand for key drug classes and device categories, then priced using typical reimbursed levels and observed price bands. To keep totals realistic, the outputs were corroborated with selective bottom-up approximations, mainly sampled volume times average selling price checks for high-usage items such as test strips and sensors, and roll-ups from a limited set of supplier and channel discussions.
Key inputs that moved the model included diabetes prevalence and treated share, insulin versus oral therapy mix, uptake of GLP-1 and other injectables, CGM versus SMBG penetration, and replacement frequency for consumables such as sensors, strips, and lancets. We also built in policy timing from NHIS and HIRA, since reimbursement eligibility and reference pricing can shift volumes without a change in prevalence. For forecasting, scenario analysis was used, where each scenario varied adoption curves for CGM and newer drug classes, and then was aligned to what primary respondents viewed as achievable under current reimbursement and prescriber behavior. When bottom-up signals were incomplete (for example, smaller import channels), gaps were handled through conservative penetration ranges that were rechecked in follow-up calls.
Data Validation & Update Cycle
Model outputs were checked against independent signals such as reimbursement expansions, MFDS approval cadence, and category level consumption patterns implied by consumable replacement cycles. If an input created an unusual jump, it was reviewed again, then either corrected or documented as a one-time event tied to policy or product changes.
Before sign-off, the work goes through multiple analyst reviews so calculations, assumptions, and conversions stay consistent across drugs and devices. Reports are refreshed annually, and interim updates are made when a material event occurs, such as a meaningful reimbursement decision or a major pricing reset. Before delivery, a final analyst pass is completed so clients receive the latest updated view.
Mordor Intelligence's South Korea Diabetes Care Drugs and Devices Market Size Compared Against Other Published Estimates
Published market sizes for diabetes care in South Korea often differ because the scope can be set in more than one reasonable way, and each choice shifts the total. The most common differences come from whether the estimate includes only core diabetes medicines and patient-use devices, how reimbursed versus cash pay pricing is handled, and how quickly adoption of CGM and newer injectable therapies is assumed.
Another driver is the year alignment and update timing, since policy changes in coverage and reference pricing can move spending within a short period. Some published figures also blend adjacent categories, like general hospital glucose testing equipment or non-diabetes metabolic products, which can inflate totals if the boundary is not clearly stated.
Benchmark comparison
| Source | Market Size | Gaps in Research Methodology |
|---|---|---|
| Mordor Intelligence | USD 1.48 B (2026) | |
| Industry Data Service A | USD 3.50 B (2024) | Uses a broader basket that appears to combine wider diabetes related healthcare spending beyond core drugs and patient-use devices, and it may also mix retail and reimbursed pricing without clear reconciliation. |
| Trade Journal B | USD 2.10 B (2023) | Centers on device led revenue signals and applies forward growth rates that can overstate uptake when NHIS eligibility and replacement assumptions are not validated through field checks. |
The table shows a wide spread across sources, and in Mordor Intelligence's model the total is limited to prescription diabetes therapies plus patient-use monitoring and management devices, with pricing anchored to reimbursement references and replacement cycles rather than broad healthcare spend roll-ups. This makes the estimate easier to audit because the total can be traced back to treated patients, therapy mix, device penetration, and consumable utilization steps that can be repeated year after year.
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current undefined size?
The undefined is projected to register a CAGR of 3.18% during the forecast period (2026-2031)
Who are the key players in undefined?
Medtronics, Roche, NovoNordisk, Sanofi and Omnipod are the major companies operating in the undefined.
What years does this undefined cover?
The report covers the undefined historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the undefined size for years: 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031.
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