CJ CheilJedang to extend low-protein rice support to adult rare disease patients from July

CJ CheilJedang announced Wednesday that it signed an MOU with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Korea Rare Disease Alliance to establish a purchasing support system for special dietary foods for rare disease patients.

The agreement aims to expand eligibility for special dietary food support — previously limited to children under 19 — to adult patients with rare congenital metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria. Under the MOU, patients aged 19 and older will be able to apply quarterly for advance purchases of special dietary foods through the dedicated online portal "Rare Disease Helpline." CJ CheilJedang will handle production and supply of its Hetbahn Low-Protein Rice. The Korea Rare Disease Alliance will manage purchase applications and order support, while the KDCA will build the dedicated ordering system and oversee applicant eligibility. The support system is set to launch in July, once the online platform is complete.

Until now, adult patients had to buy leftover stock after allocations for under-19 patients were filled, or rely on expensive imported products. CJ CheilJedang has produced Hetbahn Low-Protein Rice since 2009. The product contains one-tenth the protein of regular Hetbahn. Kim Chan-ho, head of the strategic support division, said the agreement "lays the groundwork for a stable supply of Hetbahn Low-Protein Rice to patients aged 19 and older," adding that the company would work to ensure smooth production and supply "with a sense of social responsibility and mission."