- Business
- Dongwha Pharm.Co.,Ltd is a South Korea-based pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture and sale of a broad range of ethical and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. Its main product categories include ethical drugs covering digestive system remedies, antibiotics, cardiovascular and metabolic disease treatments, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), respiratory system drugs, muscle relaxants, nervous system remedies, dermatological treatments, and urinary system remedies. OTC products span cold remedies, dental care, dermatological drugs, hepatic protectors, nutrients, tonics, topical analgesics, antihistamines, and anti-smoking agents. Additionally, the company offers quasi-drugs, health subsidiary foods, foods and drinks, and cosmetics. Dongwha Pharm operates primarily within South Korea but targets complex pharmaceutical market segments including both domestic consumers and healthcare providers.
Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Seoul, Dongwha Pharm has recently pursued strategic expansion and diversification efforts. Notably, in 2024 the company acquired a controlling 57.8% stake in Hironic Co., an aesthetic medical device manufacturer specializing in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and radiofrequency (RF) devices. This acquisition marks Dongwha Pharm’s entry into the high-growth aesthetic medical device market, aiming to diversify and enhance its medical device portfolio for global competitiveness. In 2023, Dongwha Pharm also acquired a 51% stake in Vietnam’s Trung Son Pharma to facilitate entry into the Southeast Asian pharmaceutical and beauty markets, with plans to grow Trung Son’s pharmacy network to 460 stores by 2026 and introduce Korean products including herbal drinks, functional foods, cosmetics, and OTC drugs.
Strategic partnerships further strengthen Dongwha Pharm’s market position. The company signed a strategic partnership with Henkel Home Care Korea, and its battery materials affiliate Dongwha Electrolyte formed a collaboration with U.S.-based Elementium Materials to commercialize a new electrolyte product targeting advanced battery markets. Dongwha Pharm continues leveraging its established pharmaceutical portfolio alongside these partnerships and acquisitions to secure diversified growth streams and enhance competitive positioning in both domestic and international markets. The company also benefits from a robust product pipeline that includes small molecule drugs, biologicals, and approved therapeutic products in areas such as hemophilia and diabetes.
Dongwha Pharm’s product offerings and market expansion are supported by longstanding brand presence, including recognized cold medicine brands like Pancold S, which has led the market for consecutive years. Despite operating largely in the mature South Korean market, the company is pursuing geographic diversification via acquisitions and strategic alliances in Southeast Asia and is expanding into high-potential adjacent sectors such as aesthetic medical devices. These efforts reflect Dongwha Pharm’s focus on maintaining steady domestic demand while pursuing growth opportunities through innovation and market expansion.
In summary, Dongwha Pharm.Co.,Ltd produces and markets a wide range of pharmaceutical and health-related products, complemented by recent major changes including acquisition of Hironic Co. to enter aesthetic medical devices, the takeover of a majority stake in Vietnam’s Trung Son Pharma for regional expansion, and strategic partnerships to enhance product innovation and production capabilities. The company operates mainly in South Korea but is expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia and adjacent healthcare sectors. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Seoul, Dongwha Pharm remains a significant player in the pharmaceutical industry focused on ethical and OTC drug markets alongside emerging medical device and health product opportunities.