Sales of Flu drug Tamiflu did not fare so well last year

After peaking at KRW 35.6 billion, sales plummeted to KRW 6.2 billion in 3Q last year

Oseltamivir sales fell to KRW 339 million at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 due to strict personal hygiene management

Roche Tamiflu-HanmiFlu raises KRW 2.6 billion and KRW 1.6 billion in the third quarter. respectively...sales expected to be cut to a third by 2023

Flu-infected children should avoid taking aspirin...may cause Reye's syndrome, including vomiting and cramps

The oseltamivir-based flu treatment market, commonly represented by Tamiflu, is on a vertical decline after peaking in sales in 2023.

 

The market for related preparations was valued at KRW 35.6 billion in 2023, the largest in 5 years.

 

By 3Q 2024, the oseltamivir market posted sales of KRW 6.2 billion; even when the sales of the fourth quarter are combined, it will be difficult to realize the KRW 10 billion mark.

 

However, given how flu alerts were issued from December last year to January this year, a spike in the drug’s sales is expected during the period.

 

The overall market for related ingredients has remained at the level of KRW 23.1 billion in 2019, and after reaching a low of KRW 10.5 billion in 2020 and KRW 339 million in 2021.

 

The market recovered to KRW 20.9 billion in 2022 and reached KRW 35.6 billion in 2023.

 

The market for related therapeutics shrank significantly during the peak of the pandemic due to the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and strict personal hygiene such as wearing masks and disinfecting hands.

 

Oseltamivir is one of more than 20 products competing in the market for the treatment of influenza A-B virus infections.

 

Roche's Tamiflu is the undisputed leader in the market, with sales of about KRW 2.6 billion through the third quarter of last year.

 

That's down sharply from 2023 when it generated KRW 15.3 billion in sales.

 

Tamiflu's performance in 2019-2020-2021-2022 had been KRW 7.4 billion-4 billion-137 million-14.1 billion, respectively.

 

In second place is Hanmiflu Cap, which sold KRW 1.6 billion by the third quarter of 2024, a sharp drop from KRW 7.7 billion in 2023.

 

Hanmiflu's performance in 2019-2020-2021-2022 is in the range of KRW 4.8 billion-KRW 1.7 billion-KRW 29 million-KRW 2.4 billion.

 

Yuhan Corp’s Yuhan N-flu and Chong Kun Dang’s Tamivir ranked third and fourth with sales of KRW 490 million to KRW 470 million through the third quarter of 2024, respectively.

 

Comyflu (Kolon Pharmaceutical), Seltaflu (Vivozon Pharm), and Oseltawon Cap (Daewon Pharmaceutical) followed, with sales in the range of KRW 100-400 million in the same period, down sharply from the KRW 1.2-1.8 billion in 2023.

 

Kuhnflu (Kuhnil Biophamr), Hanaflu Cap (Hana Pharm), and Shinpoong Flu (Shin Poong Pharm) have been generating sales between KRW 30 million and KRW 80 million until the third quarter of last year.

 

Oseltamivir is taken twice a day for five days within two days of symptom onset, regardless of food intake.

 

The treatment is available for newborns starting at 2 weeks of age, with a recommended dose of 3 mg per kg for children under 1 year of age.

 

Prophylaxis is approved for persons 1 year of age and older and is taken once daily for 10 days at a dose as directed by a physician within 2 days of contact with an infected person.

 

Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, and headache (>10%); if a gastrointestinal disorder occurs, taking it with food could be helpful.

 

Patients should not discontinue the medication at their discretion and should receive guidance to fully take the medication as prescribed.

 

NSAIDs and acetaminophen do not affect the effectiveness of anti-influenza antivirals and may be taken together.

 

However, aspirin should be avoided if a child is infected with influenza and has a fever.

 

Aspirin can cause Reye's Syndrome, a condition that can cause severe vomiting, convulsions, acute encephalopathy, fatty degeneration, and death in children with the virus.