Low-strength salt-modified Pristiq now available

Companies strengthen competitiveness with low-strength formulations

NexPharm·Hanlim Pharm·Myung In Pharm’s 25mg versions are listed…Whan In Pharm the first company to develop the lower strength version

Prices of the drugs will be adjusted next month following one year of generic entry

Companies with salt-modified formulations of the antidepressant Pristiq (desvenlafaxine succinate monohydrate) are strengthening their market competitiveness with a 25mg low-strength product that had not been available in the original or generic formulations.

 

With price adjustments near due to the entry of generics, attention is focused on whether the release of these salt-modified formulations will bring success.

 

According to industry sources on the 6th, three items, including Nexpharm Korea's Desvela SR Tab 25mg, Myung In Pharmaceutical's S-Ven ER Tab 25mg, and Han Lim Pharm’s Prinexor ER Tab 25mg, were listed for reimbursement this month.

 

The active ingredient in these products is desvenlafaxine benzoate, and the drugs are salt-modified versions of the original Pristiq.

 

Neither the original nor the generic products have been available in a 25mg dosage until now.

 

Prior to this, Whan In Pharm launched Defaxine SR Tab 25mg (desvenlafaxine) in June 2022.

 

When patients suddenly discontinue taking antidepressants, withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, anxiety, and other adverse reactions may occur.

 

Therefore, a gradual reduction in dosage is necessary.

 

In this context, the 25mg low-dose formulation of desvenlafaxine is expected to be useful for gradual dosage reduction.

 

With a year passing since the launch of generic versions of desvenlafaxine benzoate preparations, drug price adjustments are scheduled for August this year to a level of 53.55%.

 

As a result, drug prices for salt-modified drugs that have received premium prices may also be reduced.

 

The 25 mg desvenlafaxine benzoate preparation, which has been added to the reimbursement list, is also scheduled to undergo a drug price adjustment one month later.

 

With price adjustments imminent, companies need to preoccupy the market at its current price in just a month.

 

The current maximum prices are KRW 469 for Nexpharm Korea's Nexpharm Korea's Desvela SR Tab 25mg, KRW 468 for Myung In Pharmaceutical's S-Ven ER Tab 25mg, and KRW 450 for Han Lim Pharm’s Prinexor ER Tab 25mg.

 

Hanlim voluntarily lowered its price below the assessed price.

 

A month later, the price of Desvela SR Tab 25mg will be adjusted to KRW 359, and the other 2 products will be priced similar at KRW 358.

 

Last year, based on UBIST data, the three brands recorded the following outpatient prescription sales: Myung In Pharmaceutical's S-Ven ER Tab KRW 11.2976 billion, Nexpharm Korea's Desvela SR Tab KRW 50,981 million, and Han Lim Pharm’s Prinexor KRW 393.8 million.

 

The original Pristiq SR TAb recorded KRW 2.2 billion, and Whan In Pharm launched Defaxine SR TAb recorded KRW 1.6 billion, and is leading the market.