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- 2025-12-23 17:30:52
- Policy
- Bringing 3rd gen monkeypox vaccine to Korea in discussion
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Jun 08, 2022 05:56am
- The government announced on the 7th that it has started discussions on the quantity and schedule for bringing a ‘3rd generation monkeypod vaccine’ to Korea with its manufacturer. The authorities decided to accelerate the introduction of this third-generation vaccine with proven efficacy as the number of confirmed cases of monkeypox continues to increase worldwide and the possibility of its inflow to Korea rises. The Danish company Bavarian Nordic’s ‘Jynneos’ is the only monkeypox vaccine that received marketing authorization in the world. Jynneos is currently available for vaccination in the US and Canada after receiving FDA approval in 2019. Jynneos is an attenuated, live, non-replicating smallpox and monkeypox vaccine used for the prevention of smallpox or monkeypox in adults over 18 years of age that is known to provide 85% protection against monkeypox. Geun-Young Kwon, head of the vaccination management team of the Vaccination Response Promotion Bureau of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said, “We are currently discussing the introduction of a third-generation smallpox vaccine to Korea with its manufacturer. We will provide information on its quantity and schedule as soon the discussions are complete.”
- Policy
- The price gap between Memantine products is more than 2.5x
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jun 07, 2022 06:04am
- Original for Memantine HCl The price difference between Memantine producst was more than 2.5 times. This is because if there are more than 20 generics depending on the price calculation formula, new products are listed at 85% of the lowest price. Memantine preparations have originally had a large price gap between products, but the gap is widening according to this price calculation formula. According to the industry on the 6th, Ibixa (Memantine HCl) of I-World Pharmaceutical was listed at 334 won on the 1st, which is 85% of the lowest price of the listed same product, as more than 20 products are listed. Before Ibixa's registration, 64 Memantine HCl 10mg preparations were registered, and the lowest price was 393 won for Dongkook Pharmaceutical's Mmentine 10mg. Accordingly, Ibixa was registered at 334, which is 85% of 393 won. Since there are more than 20 generics, the drug price will fall again to 85% of the lowest price if the next product is listed. With the registration of Ibixa, the gap between the highest and lowest prices of Memantine products is more than 2.5 times. The highest price is 845 won. The original for Memantine, Ebixa, costs 803 won. In particular, the price difference between the same drugs is widening in dementia treatments. Donepezil tablet 5mg has quadrupled the price difference between the same drugs. It is analyzed that this is due to the specificity of the dementia treatment market. This is because the market size is large and competition is fierce, but it is not easy to enter customers. Regardless of the price difference, this market has high confidence in patients and medical staff for the original. In addition, because the prescription rate of nursing hospitals that are difficult to access (CSO) is high, the lowest-priced products targeting this are also emerging. An official from the pharmaceutical industry said, "The price strategy of dementia treatments takes into account the specificity of Rx." He explained, "In the case of low-priced drugs, there are preferred medical staff because they are not burdensome to use with other drugs, and it seems that they were aiming for the demand to purchase high-priced drugs at low prices and receive incentives." Analysts say that the price difference does not have a significant impact on patients because patient copy of dementia patients is small. However, the industry reports that such a price difference occurs because the preferences of doctors are different.
- Policy
- Price Negotiation for One-shot Treatment Zolgensma
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jun 07, 2022 06:04am
- Zolgensma of Novartis, which passed the Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee of the HIRA on the 12th of last month, began negotiations on drug prices to register health insurance benefits. Given that Kymriah of the same company, which has attracted attention as a once-in-a-lifetime drug, succeeded in being reimbursed two months after passing the Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee, attention is being paid to whether Kymriah will be able to proceed quickly. According to the industry on the 3rd, the NHIS and Korea Novartis will start negotiations on the drug price for the SMA treatment Zolgensma on the 25th of last month and proceed for two months until the 25th of next month. Earlier on the 12th of last month, Zolgensma was recognized as a condition for pre-approval of medical care benefits and application of RSA and caps based on patient performance at the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee. Zolgensma is an ultra-high-priced drug sold in the U.S. for about 2.5 billion won, and it is urgent to register health insurance benefits for patients to relieve their economic burden and receive medication. There are many opinions asking for registration in that most of the patients with SMA, a rare disease, are children. The political community has welcomed the passage of the Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee. Choi Hye-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted an SNS post titled "We are happy that it passed the Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee for SMA treatment," and Lee Jong-sung also said, "The adequacy of health insurance benefits for Zolgensma was recognized at the first review of the Yoon Seok-yeol government." "It is a decision that fits the policy philosophy of the Yoon Seok-yeol government to further protect the people in need," he welcomed. Zolgensma is compared to Kymriah, which previously succeeded in reimbursement for it, in that it is administered once in a lifetime and sold by Novartis. With the registration of Kymriah health insurance, it can be administered at up to 5.98 million won. As political circles and patient groups are paying keen attention, attention is being reimbursed to whether Zolgensma will succeed in making reimbursement as fast as Kymriah. If the drug price is settled within the negotiation period, health insurance benefits will also be available from August 1. As ultra-high-priced drugs appear one after another, health insurance finances are expected to be burdened by rising drug costs. Therefore, it is highly likely to affect the pharmaceutical industry depending on what position the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which has just started, takes on the issue of drug cost management. Some analysts say that there is a possibility that generic drugs may be considered to be lowered due to the influence of the ultra-high-priced new drug registration.
- Policy
- Zerbaxa passed evaluation committee after 4 yrs of challenge
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jun 03, 2022 06:36am
- MSD Korea's antibiotic drug Zerbaxa has been recognized for its benefit adequacy by the HIRA Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee. As a result, it is likely to be listed on health insurance benefits through NHIS negotiations. The HIRA released the results of the 6th Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee review on the 2nd, and determined that Zerbaxa was appropriate for complex intra-abdominal infection, complex urinary tract infection, and hospital infection pneumonia. Zerbaxa is a super antibiotic approved in Korea in 2017, and is evaluated as a drug that can overcome antibiotic resistance. Dr. Low, who has challenged since 2018, succeeded in passing the Drug Reimbursment Evaluation Committee for the first time in four years. In 2019, the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee recognized the clinical necessity but non-reimbursed because it was difficult to see that the clinical treatment rate was inferior. As the MOHW expanded the anti-bacterial system for treating symptomatic infections to PE in 2020, Zerbaxa also seems to have benefited.
- Policy
- Lioresal was newly listed
- by Kim, Jung-Ju Jun 02, 2022 05:59am
- With the new registration of 10mg/5mL of the skeletal muscle relaxant, the standard was newly established this month. Jakabi 5mg, which belongs to an anti-malignant tumor drug, has been clearly set in accordance with the change in permission from the MFDS. The MOHW announced that it partially revised the "details on the criteria and methods for benefits" as of the 1st. Looking at the change table, 10mg/5mL of Lioresal was newly registered, and the standard for this ingredient was newly established by applying the permission of the MFDS. According to the MFDS' recognition, this drug is used to treat severe, chronically increased muscle tension that has not been treated with standard drugs for progressive neurological diseases in the brain and spinal cord accompanied by physical and mental symptoms. The scope of benefit has been clarified as the MFDS' permission for Jakabi 5mg has been changed. The added indication is a non-antibiotic therapy. Benefits are expanded in the general principle of oral chronic hepatitis B treatment. The MOHW and the Korea Appraisal Board deleted the taboo and expanded the benefit, considering that the permission for "administration of patients with mild, moderate, and severe" of the drug was changed and that Besifovir was recommended as an initial treatment if there was a decrease in renal function. The MOHW and the HIRA made the decision in consideration of domestic and foreign permits, textbooks, clinical medical guidelines, clinical research documents, opinions of related academic societies, and approval for the use of non-reimbursement exceeding the permission of the MFDS. Looking at the newly established contents in detail, Voriconazole injections that exceed the permission can be recognized if they are administered according to the standard. Subject patients are only adult patients diagnosed with Fungal Endophthalmitis who are confirmed to have fungal infection in the blood or eyeball, and are recognized when administered in the anterior injection (50 μg/0.1ml) and in the vitreous cavity (50 μg/0.1ml~100 μg/0.1ml). Anti-inhibitor coagulant complex injection Faiva is paid more. The MOHW and the HIRA have a need for preventive therapy because antibody patients themselves have a very high tendency to bleed, and other hemophilia drugs have recently recognized preventive therapy for antibody hemophilia patients, so they decided to expand their benefits. Specifically, it is recognized up to six times per visit, and a total of 12 times per four weeks. However, if bleeding occurs after administering 12 doses every 4 weeks and visits the hospital, it can be recognized up to 2 times per visit, and a doctor's note must be attached. In the case of in-house administration, the in-house administration is included when calculating the number of administrations.
- Policy
- New guidelines for Lagevrio & Paxlovid have been released
- by Kim, Jung-Ju Jun 02, 2022 05:58am
- (from left) Lagevrio and PaxlovidNew clinical guidelines for Lagevrio and Paxlovid's administration of COVID-19 patients have been released. Lagevrio considers medication if it is difficult to use other treatments among confirmed patients with mild and severe symptoms over the age of 18, and Paxlovid considers patients aged 12 or older who weigh more than 40kg. Eight member societies of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (Director Han Kwang-hyeop) and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (Chairman Jung Ji-tae) announced additional clinical treatment guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. This guideline reflects the results of a comprehensive review of papers published around the world with the participation of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, a specialized research institute under the MOHW, and the COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment. The eight member societies are the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the KSID, the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, the KSPID, the Korean Society of Radiology, the KSEM, the Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine, the KSLM, and the KSCM. The National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency explained that COVID-19 new mutations are continuously occurring and that the administration of oral treatments has been clinically safe and effective in preparation for the re-pandemic this fall. Looking at the details, first of all, Lagevrio has a risk factor for severity among mild or moderate COVID-19 confirmed patients aged 18 or older, but if it is difficult to use other COVID-19 treatments, medication is considered and recommended to be used within 5 days after symptoms occur. The risk factor refers to immunodeficiency or underlying disease patients known to have a high risk of severe COVID-19 progression or low vaccination effect, and if it is difficult to use other treatments, it refers to cases where monoclonal antibodies, including Paxlovid and Remdesivir, are difficult to use. In the case of Paxlovid, medication is considered for COVID-19 infections aged 12 or older with a mild or moderate weight of 40Kg or more, and it is recommended to use it within 5 days after symptoms occur. This clinical treatment guideline was developed by applying the GRADE methodology. The National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency searches and reviews the latest evidence every month, and if it is deemed necessary to revise the recommendations quickly, it is revised and announced every three to four months after discussion by the Committee of Medical Guidelines composed of representatives of the Association. Anyone can download this recommendation from www.neca.re.kr, Research Information >> COVID-19 Living Guideline. Han Kwang-hyeop said, "The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is gradually decreasing, but COVID-19 new mutations continue to appear, so it is important to prepare through scientific evidence." He said, "In the future, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency plans to continue to develop clinical care guidelines based on the latest evidence in cooperation with the government and the medical community."
- Policy
- The GMP reinforcement bill passed the plenary session
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Jun 02, 2022 05:58am
- Sustainable Support for New Drug Development Pharmaceutical Companies Increasing Punishment for Violations of GMP A bill to extend special cases for innovative pharmaceutical companies and a bill to significantly strengthen the level of GMP regulatory management compared to the previous one passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on the night of the 29th. With the revision of the Special Act on the Promotion and Support of the Pharmaceutical Industry, the deadline for special provisions on the construction of research facilities for innovative pharmaceutical companies and exemption from various levies will be extended to March 30, 2032. It is expected that it will continue to support innovative pharmaceutical companies that lead the development of new drugs in the future and boost investment in the biohealth industry. The level of regulation will increase as the National Assembly passes the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which promotes the improvement of the quality of domestic distributed drugs by strengthening the standards for drug manufacturing and quality management. The standards for drug manufacturing and quality management are strengthened to secure the effectiveness of the system and strengthen the international competitiveness of products, ▲ upgraded the basis for determining compliance with drug manufacturing and quality control standards (GMPs) to the law, ▲ establishment of sanctions standards for serious violations, such as being judged to be suitable for GMP by false or illegal means, ▲ appointment of GMP investigators and grounds for entry, and ▲preparation of the basis for publication of the details of disposition to drug-related business operators whose administrative disposition has been confirmed. Currently, in order to manufacture and sell medicines, the MFDS stipulates that they are suitable for GMP by formulation or manufacturing method, but it was raised to the law to strengthen the management of serious violations related to GMP. Sanctions standards have been established for serious violations related to GMP-related violations, punitive fines, and penalties of up to 5 years or 50 million won. In order to increase the administrative efficiency of GMP investigation and evaluation work, GMP education and training were appointed as manufacturing and quality control investigators for medicines, etc., and provided a basis for entry and investigation. The head of the MFDS has prepared a basis for informing the public of the violation and the details of the disposition to those whose administrative disposition has been confirmed.
- Policy
- 22nd new homegrown drug Acelex adds side effect after PMS
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 31, 2022 06:06am
- Crystal Genomics’ ‘Acelex Tab (polmacoxib)’ that was approved as the 22nd homegrown new drug in Korea will be adding ‘strokes, etc’ to its list of adverse events. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it had completed the opinion review for the Change in Acelex's Indications based on Reevaluation Results (draft) and will be reflecting the changes in the indication from August 26th. Acelex was approved on February 5th, 2015 as an anti-inflammatory analgesic to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis patients. The drug was also designated the 22nd new homegrown drug to receive marketing authorization in Korea. The drug has been supplied to large general hospitals and university hospitals through Dong-A ST since September 2015, and Crystal Genomics also signed a joint marketing agreement for its sale with Daewoong Pharmaceuticals in March 2018. The post-marketing surveillance on Acelex was conducted for 6 years on 3,289 patients for the MFDS reevaluation in Korea. The PMS results showed that the incidence of adverse events regardless of their causality was 7.66% (252 of 2289 patients, 285 cases). Among these adverse events, one serious adverse drug reaction whose causal relationship with the drug could not be ruled out, a stroke, was reported with an incidence rate of 0.03%. The incidence rate of unexpected drug adverse events whose causal relationship with the drug could not be ruled out was 0.43% (14 of 3289 patients, 14 cases), where rare cases of stroke, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, rash, drug rash, skin erosion, tachycardia, conjunctival congestion, gastrointestinal disorders, abdominal distension, decreased appetite, daydreams, and difficulty urinating were reported. The MFDS said “We ask relevant groups to be aware of the change and to disseminate the news to their member and non-member companies. Also, institutions involved in pre-or post-management of pharmaceuticals should use the changed order for the review of civil documents such as marketing authorization of pharmaceuticals as well as for pharmaceutical surveillance monitoring-related tasks such as post-management of labels.
- Policy
- President Visited KDCA to Strengthen Bio-Health Investment
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung May 31, 2022 06:05am
- President Yoon Seok-yeol visited the KDCA in Osong at 2 p.m. today (26th) to emphasize strengthening investment in key infrastructure in the bio-health industry. On this day, President Yoon discussed with experts how to promote scientific quarantine to prepare for the COVID-19 re-pandemic in autumn and winter at the KDCA Emergency Situation Center, and inspected the BioBank of the National Institute of Health. President Yoon said, "We should thoroughly prevent the disease so that the public does not worry. We need to establish a reliable scientific quarantine system for the people as soon as possible, he said. "As we always emphasized the importance of an expert-centered scientific quarantine system based on data, a balanced approach is needed so that people can continue their economic activities without any inconvenience." After arriving at the KDCA Emergency Center, President Yoon listened to a briefing on the response to the COVID-19 crisis and held an expert video conference attended by Baek Kyung-ran, KSID Chairman Kim Nam-joong, Gachon University Professor Chung Jae-hoon, and IVI Deputy Secretary-General Song Man-ki. At the meeting, President Yoon listened to experts' opinions after receiving a report from Commissioner Baek on the progress of upgrading the quarantine system. After the expert meeting, President Yoon moved to BioBank of the National Institute of Health. The progress of the national bio big data construction project was checked by looking around the storage where blood, cells, and DNA were stored. President Yoon said, "BioBank is a core infrastructure for the bio-health industry, and the government will reduce the burden of research and development costs on companies by increasing investment in core infrastructure in the bio-industry." He said, "The KDCA hopes to push ahead with big data construction projects so that genetic information can be used as a valuable resource for the development of biohealth industry technology, such as vaccine development, and actively improve related systems and regulations." Meanwhile, BioBank is also playing a key role in in the development of in vitro diagnostics and treatments by distributing human resources for infectious diseases held in emergency situations such as COVID-19. With the aim of starting the project in 2024 to promote precision medical care through the establishment and opening of health and medical big data, the MOHW, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Korea Centers for Disease Control. The KDCA expects to boost the growth of the bio-health industry ▲ through new technologies and bio-big data, such as analyzing and designing drug structures combining bio-big data and artificial intelligence technology, ▲in the past, as the data-based health care paradigm shifts from empirical and intuitive medical care, the development of customized disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment technologies for each patient is activated, and ▲ improving treatment efficiency through new drug-responsive drugs tailored to patients than current standard, universal, and empirical treatments.
- Policy
- Will Dukarb Plus next month rise as Boryung’s savior?
- by Lee, Tak-Sun May 30, 2022 05:42am
- Picture from the Dukarb Plus launch symposium that was held on the 25th at Shilla Hotel Seoul A product that uses the antihypertensive ingredient fimasartan (Kanarb) that Boryung Pharmaceutical developed will be released next month. The product, Dukarb Plus, is a fixed 3-drug combination of fimasartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide. Dukarb Plus will be listed for insurance benefit as of June 1st. The release of Dukarb Plus has been receiving attention due to the imminent expiration of the substance patent for Kanarb. Boryung Pharmaceutical is hoping Dukarb Plus will act as a savior against the flood of generics set to enter with Kanarb’s patent expiry. 3 doses of Dukarb Plus that were approved on March 31st are set to receive insurance benefits only 3 months since their approval. Dukarb Plus tab 30/5/12.5mg will be listed at ₩668, Dukarb Plus tab 60/5/12.5mg at ₩809, and Dukarb Plus tab 60/10/12/5mg at ₩880. The drug is used to treat patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with fimasartan+amlodipine combination therapy. By their indication, the drug’s use is expected to be limited to those who do not respond to Kanarb (fimasartan potassium) or Dukarb (fimasartan potassium+ amlodipine) In other words, with Dukarb Plus, the company may be able to retain the patients that use Kanarb or Dukarb. This is important as Boryung’s Kanarb and Dukarb are soon to be challenged by the entry of their generics as their substance patent will expire next year. Generic companies are busy developing generic versions of the two drugs in line with the substance patent expiry of Kanarb and Dukarb due on February 1st, 2023. Although a composition patent that lasts until August 8th, 2031 remains for Dukarb, generic companies are making efforts to invalidate or avoid the patent and launch latecomers after its substance patent expiry on February 1st, 2023. One relief on Boryung’s part is that the trial filed to avoid the composition patent filed by the generic companies had been turned down in March. However, the possibility remains for their entry as the generic companies immediately filed an appeal to the Patent Court of Korea. Market sharing is inevitable if generics pour into the market that had been monopolized by Kanarb and Dukarb. As the price of the originals is discounted upon the generics’ entry, this is expected to directly affect the sales of originals. Therefore, the performance of Dukarb Plus is ever more important to make up for the lost performance of the originals. If Dukarb Plus settles in the market, it may also be used as a later-line drug of Kanarb and Dukarb generics. One factor in favor of Dukarb Plus is that the share of three-drug combination therapies is increasing in the antihypertensive drug market. The market size has continued to increase since the first three-drug combination Sevikar HCT (olmesartan medoxomil+ amlodipine+hydrochlorothiazide, Daiichi Sankyo Korea) was released to exceed ₩100 billion last year. In other words, market size had increased fourfold in the past 5 years. In addition to Sevikar HCT, blockbuster drugs such as Amosartan Plus (Losartan+ amlodipine+chlorthalidone, Hanmi Pharmaceutical) and True Set (telmisartan + amlodipine+ chlorthalidone) were born in the increased market. Being the first three-drug combination that contains the ARB class fimasartan ingredient, the industry expects Dukarb Plus to follow the road to success taken by Sevikar HCT and Amosartan Plus. Based on UBIST last year, outpatient prescriptions of Sevikar HCT reached ₩34.8 billion, Amosartan Plus ₩28.2 billion, and Ture Set ₩15 billion. In the same period, Boryung’s fimasartan monotherapy Kanarb recorded ₩51.9 billion, and two-drug combo Dukarb ₩41.1 billion.
