Keytruda, Dupixent begin negotiations for reimb expansions

DREC deems Keytruda’s reimbursement adequate for 11 additional indications

Dupixent’s scope of use expanded to “severe type 2 inflammatory asthma”

The immuno-oncology drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and the atopic dermatitis treatment Dupixent Pre-filled (dupilumab) have entered price negotiations, moving one step closer to expanding reimbursement in Korea.

 

Both MSD Korea’s Keytruda and Sanofi-Aventis Korea’s Dupixent received reviews deeming reimbursement adequate for expanded indications at the September meeting of the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee.

 

Keytruda added an impressive 11 new indications, including gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, breast cancer, small intestine cancer, and biliary tract cancer.

 

Previously, it was covered for 7 indications across 4 cancer types: non-small cell lung cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, and urothelial carcinoma.

 

The addition of 11 indications is expected to increase annual claims by approximately KRW 400 billion.

 

Due to increased usage, Keytruda became subject to monitoring for fourth-quarter price-volume agreement negotiations this year.

 

Dupixent, a treatment for severe atopic dermatitis, received approval for expanded reimbursement for ‘severe type 2 inflammatory asthma in adults and adolescents’.

 

Dupixent, the only targeted biologic for atopic dermatitis in Korea, had its indications expanded in March this year to include ‘additional maintenance therapy for adult COPD patients with elevated blood eosinophil counts inadequately controlled by standard inhaled therapy’.

 

According to Sanofi's performance data, Dupixent's global sales for the second quarter of this year reached approximately KRW 6.617 trillion.

 

This represents a 15.6% increase compared to the same period last year.

 

Sanofi is continuing to expand its indications for Dupixent through additional clinical studies.

 

According to the market research institution IQVIA, sales in 2023 reached KRW 143.2 billion .

 

This represents an increase of over 36% compared to the previous year, showing an upward trend.

 

Due to its increased use in Korea, it is also included as a subject for monitoring for fourth-quarter PVA negotiations alongside Keytruda.

 

If negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service proceed without breakdown and lead to expanded coverage, this is expected to further bolster the upward sales trend.