Support system built with KDCA and rare disease alliance enters 18th year; cumulative output nears 3 million units as global supply expansion is weighed

Hetbahn low-protein rice [Provided by CJ CheilJedang]
Hetbahn low-protein rice [Provided by CJ CheilJedang]

CJ CheilJedang announced Monday that it is continuing a support system built with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea Alliance of Rare Disease Organizations to help patients with inborn errors of metabolism purchase its Hetbahn low-protein rice reliably into adulthood.

Adult patients aged 19 and older can place quarterly advance orders and receive regular deliveries of up to 1,248 units a year at 1,700 won per unit. Before the system was established, patients had to rely on overseas direct purchases or online resale at marked-up prices. The KDCA estimates the arrangement saves each patient up to 8.48 million to 14.1 million won ($10,500) annually.

Hetbahn low-protein rice is a medical food designed for patients with phenylketonuria and other inborn errors of metabolism who lack the enzymes needed to break down protein. Reducing the protein content to one-tenth that of ordinary cooked rice requires a separate 24-hour production process, and manufacturing costs run more than twice as high.

CJ CheilJedang developed the product in 2009 — the first of its kind in South Korea — after an employee shared the story of having no suitable food to feed her child. The company has kept the product in production for 18 years, with cumulative output now approaching 3 million units. It has also secured additional supply by adjusting production lines for other products.

"We plan to keep expanding our cooperative network so we can provide stable access to medical food for Koreans living abroad and rare disease patients around the world," a company official said.


andy@heraldcorp.com