The Syringes Biden Needs, 10 Million Produced Monthly in Korea... 'Park Young-sun - Samsung Achievement'

Former Minister of SMEs Park Young-sun on SNS: "US Lacks Special Syringes, Korea Produces 10 Million Monthly"
Punglim Pharmatech's Production Increases 2.5 Times with Support from Ministry of SMEs and Samsung Smart Factory Setup

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of low-dose special syringes for COVID-19 vaccinations, but major foreign media outlets such as CNN and The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 23rd local time that there is a shortage of these syringes.

Using the low-dose special syringes approved by the U.S. FDA allows for an additional dose per vial of the Pfizer vaccine, which normally provides five doses per vial, thereby increasing vaccine supply.

However, regardless of the approval, syringe manufacturers in the U.S. have stated that producing the special syringes was not part of their original plans, making it difficult to increase supply immediately, and thus securing sufficient quantities is expected to be challenging. U.S. President Joe Biden has set a goal to complete vaccinations for 100 million people within his first 100 days in office.

In this regard, The Washington Post predicted, "The Biden administration is trying to squeeze out additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but it will not be easy."

Relatedly, former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun revealed on Facebook on the 24th that "Korea has (the special syringes)," drawing attention.

Former Minister Park added, "Last December, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and Samsung contacted Korea’s syringe manufacturing SME, Poonglim Pharmatech, to establish a smart factory, and from February this year, they will produce 10 million low-dose special syringes per month."

Minister Park Young-sun of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is holding a briefing on the "2020 Export Trends and Characteristics of Small and Medium Enterprises" at the Joint Briefing Room of the Seoul Government Complex on the 19th, unveiling a COVID-19 vaccine syringe. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The mass production of low-dose special syringes by Poonglim Pharmatech, introduced by former Minister Park during her final briefing on the 19th, is an achievement realized through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ smart factory support project.

In particular, Samsung Electronics supported mold injection technology, enabling Poonglim Pharmatech to complete prototype mold production and manufacturing in just four days during the year-end holidays. The production line, which previously produced 4 million syringes per month, has now transformed into a mass production system capable of producing over 10 million syringes monthly.

Poonglim Pharmatech received domestic approval for vaccine syringes and needles from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 15th. Along with domestic technology and design patent applications, international patent applications are also underway in the U.S., Europe, and other regions.

Based on this case, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to expand the spread of smart factories in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Currently, smart factory construction is being promoted for seven syringe companies.