Multiple low-dose Kerendia Rx subject to reimb cuts

treatment for chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes…comarketed with Chong Kun Dang

Expected claims amount to KRW 10 billion/year... High and low-dose formulations cost the same at KRW 1,670

Kerendia Tab, a new drug for chronic kidney disease with diabetes mellitus that was reimbursed in February this year, was added to the list of low-content multiple-dose prescription reimbursement cuts.

 

As the price for the high and low-dose formulations were set the same for the drug, there is virtually no incentive to prescribe multiple doses.

 

According to industry sources 18th, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on Monday added Kerendia (finerenone, Bayer) to its list of cost-effective formularies.

 

The price of Kerendia 10 mg and Kerendia 20 mg are the same at 1,670 won per tablet.

 

It is indicated as a treatment for adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) to reduce the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and a sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalization for heart failure.

 

The initial dose is based on the patient’s eGFR.

 

Patients who are eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73m2 start with an initial dose of 20 mg once daily, and those 25 ≤ eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m2 start with an initial dose of 10mg once daily.

 

As the dose is set according to each patient’s condition, and both the 10mg and 20mg doses were released at the same time, there is little incentive to prescribe two 10mg doses.

 

This is why the company strategically set the price for the low and high doses the same for the drug.

 

Its domestic price of 1,670 won is significantly lower than the A7 adjusted average price.

 

Among the A7 countries, Kerendia is listed in 6 countries except France - the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with an adjusted average price of 6,810 won for 10 mg and 6,910 won for 20 mg.

 

The drug is recommended as a treatment for chronic kidney disease patients with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice guidelines in Korea and abroad, and its cost-effectiveness was recognized through pharmacoeconomic evaluation and succeeded in being listed for reimbursement just 1 year and a half after it was approved in June 2022.

 

The National Health Insurance Service expects the drug to be used by around 16,324 people a year and has reportedly agreed with the company on KRW 9.95 billion ($9.9 billion) as the expected claims amount.

 

It is the first blockbuster drug for a chronic disease released in a long time.

 

Chong Kun Dang signed a copromotion agreement with Bayer on the 6th of this month.

 

With Chong Kun Dang, which has a large sales and distribution network in Korea, joining in on its sales, Kerendia is expected to quickly land in the domestic market.

 

Meanwhile, in addition to Kerendia, Januglip Tab.

 

50mg, 100mg, Esoum Tab 20mg, and 40mg were also included in the list of oral drugs that require cost-effective use.