Duloxetine shows strength in ₩30B antidepressant mkt

Top-line sales for duloxetine KRW 17.7 billion, venlafaxine KRW 12.7 billion

Cymbalta makes ‘KRW 9.7 billion’ and held the unwavering lead... Hanlim and Myung-In Pharm’s generics also show growth

Efexor makes sales of ‘KRW 4.4 billion’... Korea Pharma’s venlafaxine raise KRW 2.8 billion and emerge as a ‘dark horse’ in the market

Last year, top-line sales of the antidepressant duloxetine recorded KRW 17.7 billion, taking a big lead ahead of venlafaxine, which achieved KRW 12.7 billion in sales, and is solidifying its position in the relevant prescription market.

 

According to drug distribution data, sales of duloxetine drugs grew from KRW 15.5 billion to KRW 17.7 billion from 2019 to 2022, whereas sales of venlafaxine drugs showed a declining trend from KRW 13.1 billion to KRW 12.7 billion.

 

The contrasting performance of the top two major antidepressant substances in the market is interpreted to be attributed to the difference in their indications.

 

The duloxetine original, Lilly’s Korea’s Cymbalta Cap can be prescribed in a broader scope as its indications include the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and musculoskeletal pain that does not respond appropriately to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

On the other hand, the venlafaxine leader, the indication of Viatris Korea’s Efexor Xr Cap.

 

Is limited to depression, such as social phobia and panic disorder, which fall under the category of generalized anxiety disorder.

 

The unwavering lead in the duloxetine antidepressant market is Cymbalta, which has raised sales of KRW 8.6 billion in 2018, KRW 9.1 billion in 2019, KRW 9.3 billion in 2020, KRW 9.7 billion in 2021, then KRW 9.7 billion in 2022.

 

The second duloxetine in line is Hanlim Pharm’s Duxela Cap., which raised sales of KRW 1.7 billion last year.

 

Myung-In Pharm’s Droctin Cap ranked third has shown aa over twofold growth from KRW 0.74 billion in 2018 to KRW 1.35 billion last year.

 

Top-line sales of the duloxetine drugs that followed are HR Inno.

 

N’s Culocta, ‘Hwan-In Pharm’s Duloxeptol, Korea Celltrion Pharm’s Julotine, then Korea Pharm’s Duroprex.

 

The respective drugs raised sales of KRW 0.85 billion, 0.77 billion, 0.53 billion, and 0.38 billion, respectively.

 

The combined sales of the 18 other minor products in 2022 were in the KRW 1.4 billion range.

 

The lead product among venlafaxine drugs is Efexor XR, which recorded KRW 4.4 billion last year.

 

The rapid growth of generic versions of venlafaxine is noteworthy in the market.

 

Korea Pharma’s Pharma Venlafaxine arose to become the second-most sold the drug in the venlafaxine market, making a 1800% growth from KRW 0.15 billion in 2018 to KRW 2.89 billion in 2022.

 

The third was Hanlim Pharm’s Venexor XR, which recorded sales of KRW 2.1 billion last year.

 

Sales of Myung-In Pharm’s Cofexor, which had been in the KRW 3 billion range until 2019, were reduced to sales of KRW 1.7 billion last year.

 

Daewoong Bio’s Verakan and Sam Chung Dang Pharm’s Venlafect, Youngjin Pharm’s Venfaxine raised sales of KRW 0.26 billion, 0.53 billion, and KRW 6.8 billion last year.

 

Meanwhile, observations show that Alvogen Korea’s Ivenxine withdrew from the prescription market after raising KRW 12 million in sales in 2019.