Dongkook Pharmaceutical Secures Exclusive Distribution for "NicoStop" and "Rheumastop Power Plaster"

Full-scale Entry into Public Health Center Distribution Channel

Dongkook Pharmaceutical announced on August 18 that it has signed an agreement with Samyang Holdings BioPharm Group for the joint promotion of the over-the-counter patch products “NicoStop” and “Rheumastop Power Plaster.” Under this agreement, Samyang Holdings will be responsible for supplying the two products, while Dongkook Pharmaceutical will have exclusive domestic distribution rights.

Dongkook Pharmaceutical Headquarters, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Dongkook Pharmaceutical

Launched in 1997, NicoStop is a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product whose efficacy and safety have been verified over 28 years. It maintains a consistent blood nicotine level for 24 hours, effectively suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings to smoke. Additionally, the product optimizes both nicotine dosage and patch size to minimize skin irritation.

According to global healthcare research firm IQVIA, NicoStop held a 57% market share in the nicotine patch segment in 2022. In a 2024 consumer survey by Korea Research, it was ranked number one in brand awareness in the smoking cessation aid nicotine patch category.

Through this joint promotion, Dongkook Pharmaceutical will actively enter the public health center distribution channel and plans to expand its distribution scope and scale with its diverse product portfolio. In addition to NicoStop, the two companies will also jointly promote Rheumastop Power Plaster, which helps relieve joint and muscle pain.

Rheumastop Power Plaster is a renewed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) version of “Rheumastop Plaster,” which has built trust in efficacy and safety over 27 years since its launch in 1998. Among patch products currently on the market, it contains the highest content (70mg) of diclofenac per equivalent area.

A Dongkook Pharmaceutical marketing representative stated, “We expect great synergy from the combination of Samyang Holdings BioPharm Group’s differentiated patch technology and Dongkook Pharmaceutical’s strong OTC capabilities. As interest in health management continues to rise with the transition to a super-aged society, we aim to contribute to public health through the distribution of the smoking cessation aid NicoStop.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.