[Market Focus] "Hair Loss Is a Matter of Survival"... Hair Loss-Themed Stocks Surge

On December 17, stocks related to hair loss treatments are showing strong gains. This comes after President Lee Jae-myung instructed officials to review the inclusion of hair loss medications under the national health insurance coverage.

As of 9:35 a.m. on this day, Metalabs is trading at 2,025 won, up 464 won (29.72%) from the previous trading day.

Other stocks classified as hair loss-themed stocks, such as TS Trillion (up 29.77%), Withus Pharmaceutical (up 21.51%), InnoGene (up 12.38%), and FromBio (up 8.21%), are also performing strongly.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Ministry of Health and Welfare (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency) and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety briefing held on the 16th at the Government Sejong Convention Center. Photo by Yonhap News

The previous day, during a work briefing from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, President Lee stated, "Isn't hair loss also a disease? I hear that many young people use (hair loss medication); have you considered including it under insurance coverage? In the past, hair loss was seen as a cosmetic issue, but nowadays it is a matter of survival. If it is designated for health insurance coverage, wouldn't the drug prices go down?"

President Lee previously made a campaign pledge during the 20th presidential election to include hair loss treatment medications under the national health insurance. At that time as well, the stock prices of hair loss-related companies such as TS Trillion rose.

However, President Lee's current instruction is to review insurance coverage for hair loss medications, not hair loss shampoos. In addition, since some pharmaceutical companies are still in the clinical trial stage, investors are advised to exercise caution.