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- 2025-12-26 12:27:06
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- Epidiolex can be prescribed at general hospitals in Korea
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Apr 28, 2021 06:05am
- Epidiolex can be prescribed at general hospitals in Korea According to related industries, Epidiolex (Cannabidiol, CBD Oil), a hemp-based drug for the treatment of patients with rare and intractable diseases among children with epilepsy, has passed the drug commitee (DC) of Seoul National University Hospital. Epidiolex has been reimbursed this month. Since this drug was recognized as an urgently introduced drug by the MFDS in March 2019, it has been struggling to register benefits. With the application of this benefit, the drug cost to be taken by patients has been significantly reduced from about ₩6.7 million per three months to ₩440,000. However, for patients with epilepsy covered by insurance, it is expected that there will be discussions for improvement in the future, used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in patients 2 years of age and older. The KOEDC played a big role in applying Epidiolex's benefit. The center lowered its domestic supply price to ₩1.1 million through drug price negotiations with the original developer GW Pharmaceuticals, and the registration process was undertaken based on this price, and it was finally listed on April 1. However, even after registration, there are issues to resolve such as supply and demand problems, indications and expansion of benefit standards according to the increased demand. The key is whether Epidiolex can be used stably in the domestic medical field. The third completed phase 3 trial was a comparison of 20 mg/kg per day with placebo in patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. The primary efficacy outcome of median reduction in drop seizures was significantly in favor of Epidiolex with 43.9% versus 21.8% for placebo (P = 0.0135). In patients with Dravet syndrome, a significant decrease in the median convulsive seizure (tonic, clonic, tonic-clonic, or atonic) frequency was seen in patients treated with Epidiolex when compared with placebo within the first month of the maintenance period (P = 0.002 ). The primary outcome endpoint was significant and showed a median reduction of 38.9% for CBD versus 13.3% for placebo (P = 0.01) .Also, side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and headache may occur when taking Epidiolex, but it is non-hedonic with no known abuse potential.
- Company
- Viatris Korea-Jeil Pharm to co-promote Lipitor Plus from May
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Apr 28, 2021 06:05am
- Lipitor Plus (ezetimibe/atorvastatin calcium trihydrate) On the 27th, Viatris Korea and Jeil Pharmaceutical announced that they will launch and co-promote the dyslipidemia treatment ‘Lipitor Plus (atorvastatin and ezetimibe)' from May 1st. Jeil Pharmaceutical had received approval for Lipitor Plus from the Ministry of Food and Safety on February 18th, in 3 dosages - 10/10mg, 10/20mg, 10/40mg – for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). Lipitor Plus uses atorvastatin, the same active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) used in ‘Lipitor (atorvastatin).’ Jeil Pharmaceutical will manufacture the drug using the original API provided by Viatris Korea. By adding Lipitor Plus to the company’s portfolio in addition to the existing Lipitor, which verified its LDL-C lowering effect and safety profile in large-scale global and domestic clinical trials, the companies expect to be able to provide more personalized treatment options for patients with dyslipidemia in Korea. Viatris Korea and Jeil Pharmaceutical will jointly carry out domestic sales and marketing promotions for Lipitor Plus. Building on the solid partnership established between the two companies through the joint promotion agreement on Lipitor for the treatment of dyslipidemia, the companies plan to inform the clinical field of the clinical value and latest findings of Lipitor Plus. “Based on the partnership between the two companies, we will continue to listen closely to the needs of our patients and HCPs in the changing environment to provide better accessibility,” said He young Lee, Country Manager of Viatris Korea. Viatris Korea is the Korean subsidiary of the Viatris Group that was launched in November 2020 through a merger between Global Pfizer’s business division Upjohn and the global healthcare company Mylan. The company changed its name to Viatris Korea in February.
- Company
- Celltrion acquires Nesina and Actos from Takeda
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Apr 28, 2021 06:05am
- (Clockwise from top left) Actos, Nesina, Edarbi, Whituben & Madipine According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 26th, some of the 18 items that Celltrion acquired from Takeda last year are still being sold under the name of Takeda. This is because the license right in Korea has not yet been completely transferred to Celltrion. Celltrion acquired the rights of 18 items for chronic disease treatment and OTC drugs from Takeda in December of last year in the Asia-Pacific region for $278.3 million (approximately ₩307.4 billion). Celltrion Pharmaceuticals in Korea and Celltrion Healthcare in the rest of the world exercise their rights. The main products are Nesina, a diabetes treatment drug based on DPP-4 inhibitor ,Actos, a diabetes treatment product based on TZD, Edarbi, a treatment drug for hypertension based on ARB, Whituben, and Albothyl, a treatment for stomatitis. Whituben and Albothyl are OTC drugs. About half of them are confirmed to have completed the transfer and transfer of domestic permits. Depending on the item and doses, the progress of the transfer and transfer operation differs. Actos and ActosRyl have been transferred to Celltrion. Actos met is still licensed by Takeda. The license for Nesina Met is still held by Takeda. Celltrion and Takeda are licensed according to the dosage of Nesina and Nesina Act. Nesina 6.25mg is licensed by Celltrion, and Nesina 12.5mg and 25mg are licensed by Takeda. Edarbi, Edarbyclor, and Whituben have licenses from Celltrion, while Albothyl still has licenses from Takeda. Celltrion maintains the domestic joint sales contract as it was before. Nesina is sold by Jeil and Edarbi is sold by Dong-A ST. Ildong is selling only ActosRyl among the Actos series. Whituben and Albothyl are sold and distributed in Korea by GC Pharma. Celltrion plans to complete the transfer of licenses within this year. An official of Celltrion said, "Because the licenses are different for each product, they are being transferred sequentially. We expect all product licenses to be transferred from Takeda to Celltrion within this year." Celltrion's total sales of 18 items acquired from Takeda are estimated at ₩80 billion per year. As soon as the domestic license transfer is completed, the sales of the item will be reflected in Celltrion 's performance. At the end of this year, sales of ₩80 billion will be fully reflected in Celltrion's sales performance.
- Company
- Generics for Eliquis have Rx amount of ₩12.7 billion
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Apr 28, 2021 06:05am
- It was found that Eliquis (Apixaban)'s cumulative prescription amount for generics, which faced a crisis of compensation for damages due to the Supreme Court decision made earlier this month, reached ₩12.7 billion. With the sale of generics stopped at once after the Supreme Court ruling, generic companies have to pay a significant portion of ₩12.7 billion. Eliquis' Rx performance is expected to rebound from next month. However, the NOAC (new oral anticoagulant) market is stagnating, and it is unclear how long it will recover. ◆Eliquis' generics withdrew from the market after recording ₩12.7 billion Eliquis' generics withdrew from the market after recording ₩12.7 billion. According to UBIST, a drug market research institute on the 26th, the cumulative prescription amount of Eliquis generics until the first quarter of this year is ₩12.7 billion. By item, Chong Kun Dang’s Liquisia, ₩4.1 billion, Samjin's Elxaban ₩2.4 billion, Yuhan's Yuhan Apixaban, ₩1.7 billion, Hanmi’s Apixban, ₩1.1 billion, and Yooyoung's Yupix ,₩900 million. Generics for Eliquis have rapidly increased their Rx performance since they were released through patent overcoming in the third quarter of 2019. It surged to ₩400 million in the third quarter of 2019, ₩800 million in the fourth quarter, ₩1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2020, ₩1.8 billion in the second quarter, ₩2.4 billion in the third quarter, ₩2.7 billion in the fourth quarter, and ₩3.2 billionin the first quarter of this year. However, the Supreme Court decision made earlier this month put the brakes on. On the 9th, the Supreme Court overturned the first and second trial rulings in the dispute between BMS and generic companies over Eliquis' product patent on the 9th and sided with BMS. BMS officially announced a claim for damages right after the ruling. Generic companies stopped selling them. It may be a turnaround in the revocation and reconciliation trial. Quarterly Rx performance of Eliquis & Generics (unit: ₩100 million, data:UBIST) The actual compensation amount is expected to be less than the cumulative prescription amount of each company. This is because the amount of compensation for patent infringement is usually determined at the operating profit level, not sales. Eliquis' generics, which were withdrawn from the market by a Supreme Court ruling, can reenter the market after September 2024, when their product patents expire. Generic companies have finally overcome the formulation patent (2031) excluding the product patent in 2019. ◆Eliquis Rx cost reduced by 13%, Will earnings recover from the second quarter? Following the Supreme Court ruling and the subsequent suspension of generic sales, Eliquis is expected to be rebounded in prescriptions from next quarter. Eliquis' Rx amount for the first quarter was ₩10.7 billion. Compared to the same period last year (₩12.3 billion), it decreased by 13%. Eliquis' Rx amount increased to ₩12.5 billion in the second quarter of 2019 just before the generic launch, but has declined since. In the NOAC market, Daiichi Sankyo's Eliquis, Bayer's Xarelto and Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa are competing. It is the key to whether the existing prescription performance of generics will be entirely occupied by Eliquis or will be distributed to other items. Another variable related to the recovery of Eliquis Rx results is the stagnation of the NOAC market. The total NOAC market size increased to ₩46.9 billion until the third quarter of last year, but since then it has decreased for the second consecutive quarter. The market size in the first quarter of this year was ₩44.8 billion. Prescriptions for all three original items decreased excluding Lixiana. Bayer's Xarelto decreased 3% from ₩12.3 billion in the first quarter of last year to ₩11.9 billion in the first quarter of this year. Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa decreased 16% from ₩3.8 billion to ₩3.2 billion. Lixiana, which is the number one in the market, posted sales of ₩15.8 billion in the first quarter, the same as in the first quarter of last year.
- Company
- Roche Korea’s new NMOSD treatment Enspryng is approved
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Apr 27, 2021 06:05am
- Roche’s neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) treatment ‘Enspryng’ was approved in Korea. On the 25th, Roche Korea announced that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approved Enspryng (satralizumab) for the treatment of adults with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), NMOSD is a rare autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that primarily damages the optic nerve and spinal cord, causing loss of vision and neurological damage. Although its clinical characteristics are similar to multiple sclerosis, over half of the patients with NMOSD experience severe loss of vision and gait disturbance to the extent that the patient becomes wheelchair-bound within 5 to 10 years. In particular, 80-90% of the patients experience frequent relapses. As even a single relapse could cause permanent disability, preventing relapses through maintenance therapy is a key goal in the treatment of NMOSD. Enspryng has an innovative mechanism of action that selectively inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor activity, which plays a key role in the inflammation associated with NMOSD. The novel recycling antibody technology applied to Enspryng allows for a longer duration of antibody circulation and a longer IL-6 inhibition effect. Also, the new drug has improved dosing convenience allowing the patient or his/her caregiver to inject Enspryng subcutaneously every four weeks at home as maintenance therapy. The MFDS approval is based on the results of the two Phase III clinical studies ▲ SAkuraSky and ▲SAkuraStar. In the studies, Enspryng demonstrated its clinical efficacy in preventing and reducing the risk of relapse in patients with all states of AQP4-IgG seropositive NMOSD. Among AQP4-IgG seropositive patients, over 9 out of 10 patients who were treated with Enspryng and immunosuppressant combination therapy, and over 7 out of 10 patients treated with monotherapy remained relapse-free for approximately 2 years (96 weeks). SAkuraSky, the pivotal Phase III study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of Enspryng in combination with immunosuppressive therapy enrolled 83 patients with NMOSD aged 12 to 74. Results showed that 89% and 78% of patients on Enspryng combination therapy were relapse-free at weeks 48 and 96, achieving a 62% reduction in the risk of relapse compared to patients on placebo (placebo-immunosuppressant therapy combination). In particular, the study showed that 92% of the AQP4-IgG seropositive patients, the patient group approved for the use of Enspryng, remained relapse-free at weeks 48 and 96, and Enspryng reduced the risk of recurrence by 79% compared to placebo. SAkuraStar, the pivotal Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Enspryng monotherapy, enrolled 95 patients with NMOSD aged 18 to 74. Results showed that 76% and 72% of patients treated with Enspryng remained relapse-free at weeks 48 and 96, and reduced the risk of relapse by 55% compared to the placebo group. 83% of the patients with AQP4-IgG seropositive NMOSD who were treated with Enspryng remained relapse-free at week 48, and 77% at week 96, reducing the risk of relapse by 74% compared to the placebo group. Enspryng was approved by Health Canada (HC) and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in June last year. The drug also received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in August of the same year.
- Company
- MSD virtually prohibits one-on-one product presentations
- by Apr 27, 2021 06:04am
- MSD Korea has proposed new rules for one-on-one product presentations with doctors. Product presentations that are not for business purposes are minimized, and the limit for meals is lowered from ₩100,000 per person to a maximum of ₩70,000. It is expected that the labor-management conflict will intensify as a counter-argument has been raised within the business that it is a'substantially banned rule'. On the 23rd, MSD Korea announced the reorganized guidelines for product presentations to its employees. According to this, from this coming May ▲Meetings with speakers scheduled to lecture ▲Details that require a lot of time, such as changes in new drugs, indications, and guideline changes ▲One-on-one products under the approval of NSM only when in-depth details are needed for important business purposes. The pre-lecture meeting with the speaker is when in-depth discussions about products and diseases are necessary to determine and prepare the contents of the lecture. Details that take a lot of time include new drug launches, new indications, adverse reaction issues, supply-related, insurance benefits, and important clinical data updates. An important business purpose refers to business-related discussions after product presentations and Q&A, or when additional discussions on other business-related topics such as marketing, insurance benefits, supply, etc. are necessary in relation to products or diseases.If this is not the case above, one-on-one product presentations must be approved by the business unit director (BUD). The limit on food and beverages that can be provided at product presentations has also been lowered. From ₩100,000 per person, lunch is limited to ₩40,000 and dinner is ₩70,000 (excluding VAT). The company said, "We hope that the product briefing sessions conducted one-on-one with the doctor will be conducted as a simple PRE. When a product briefing with meals is absolutely necessary, it is conducted with the approval of the executive, and the approval authority carefully reviews the reason why this activity must be conducted as a general briefing rather than a simple product briefing, and additional reasons are recognized..” Simple product presentations refer to light meals that are less than ₩10,000, such as coffee or sandwiches. There is a backlash from inside the business that it is a measure that effectively bans one-on-one product presentations. This is because the scope of the provisions allowed by the company is narrow and ambiguous. An official from the MSD Korea union said, "The speakers scheduled to lecture are only for some professors at general hospitals, and there are few new drugs available." "Because the important business purpose is ambiguous, there is a difference in the position between the field staff and the company. It is expected to be large.” He added, "In the end, the three provisions proposed by the company seem to be in most cases that are not possible in the field, so it is actually interpreted to mean that one-on-one meetings should not be held." Employees pointed out that the company is pushing for a unilateral change of regulations that does not take into account the business environment, which is a stronger measure than that of the pharmaceutical affairs law and the KRPIA. Earlier, MSD Korea said, "We regularly review whether the communication method with customers is appropriate and update internal regulations if necessary." It said that it will derive an appropriate plan by collecting opinions from employees
- Company
- Hankook Korus Pharm is preparing for Sputnik V
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Apr 26, 2021 05:51am
- Hankook Korus Pharm announced on the 23rd that it has begun preliminary work for domestic approval of Sputnik V, COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia. According to Hankook Korus Pharm, the company has recently requested documents related to the permit from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and is preparing the necessary materials for the permit. An official from Hankook Korus Pharm said, "We have inquired the MFDS for other domestic permits and necessary matters. We are preparing for it as the recent discussion on the introduction of Sputnik V in Korea has progressed." In particular, President Moon Jae-in ordered the inspection. There are steps that must be taken to introduce Sputnik V in Korea. First, it is a contract with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). As with other vaccines, the amount and timing of introduction should be negotiated with the supplier. Formal approval from the MFDS is also required. The approval of the MFDS is expected to be the key to approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Currently, the EMA is undergoing formal review of Sputnik V. It is expected that the evaluation results will be announced as early as May. If the EMA approves Sputnik V, it is expected to speed up domestic introduction. In Korea, Hankook Korus Pharm and Huons Global each have signed a contract for consignment production of Sputnik V. Hankook Korus Pharm has decided to produce 500 million doses. Huons decided to build a facility capable of producing more than 100 million doses per month.
- Company
- Ninlaro can be prescribed at general hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Apr 26, 2021 01:34am
- Ninlaro, an oral multiple myeloma treatment that solves the problem of insurance benefits, is prescribed at general hospitals. According to related industries, Ninlaro (Ixazomib), an oral medication option in the field of multiple myeloma (MM), is used in Korea, including Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, the Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Pusan National University Hospital, and Chungnam National University Hospital. it has passed the drug commitee (DC) of major medical institutions nationwide. Ninlaro was designated as an orphan drug in May 2017 and was listed last month. This is because the risk sharing agreement (RSA) could not be used due to the selection of competing drugs. Takeda Korea, a supplier, has also provided free domestic supply since October 2019. This drug, a proteasome inhibitor, proved its efficacy in the TOURMALINE-MM1 study, a phase 3 clinical trial in 722 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. According to the results of the study, Ninlaro, Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and Dexamethasone therapy had an average progression-free survival (PFS) of 20.6 months, which was higher than that of placebo, Lenalidomide and dexamethasone combination therapy at 14.7 months. Meanwhile, three-drug therapy including Revlimid for multiple myeloma is recommended as a major treatment option in the NCCN guidelines and ESMO. Reblimide's 'R' is the backbone of these three-drug therapies. Amgen's Kyprolis (Carfilzomib) is used as KRd (Kyprolis, Revlimid, dexamethasone) therapy, BMS' Empliciti (Elotuzumab) is used as ERd therapy, Ninlaro is used as IRd therapy, Janssen's Darzalex (Daratumumab) is used as DRd therapy. Deok-Hyun Yoon, professor of oncology at Asan Medical Center, said, "Multiple myeloma with many elderly patients and frequent recurrence will gradually increase in number of patients and increase the socioeconomic burden as the population ages. In the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients for a long period of time," "The treatment strategy that keeps this from progressing is important, and one of the factors to consider for this is patient compliance." He added, “The combination therapy of oral three-drugs through Ninlaro is a treatment option that lowers the patient's treatment burden for outpatient and administration time and increases medication convenience. It is recommended for patients first.”
- Company
- The market share of Hanmi & Chong Kun Dang's is 16%
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Apr 26, 2021 01:29am
- BetmigaCompetition for the generic drug Betmiga (Mirabegron), an overactive bladder treatment, is intensifying in the outpatient prescription market. According to the drug market research agency UBIST on the 20th, the Mirabegron market scale in the first quarter reached ₩18.3 billion. It increased by 9% compared to ₩16.7 billion in the same period last year (1st quarter of 2020). It is an analysis that the addition of generics has contributed to the expansion of the market size. Hanmi Pharm and Chong Kun Dang released Mirabek and Selebeta consecutively in June and July of last year through the avoidance of Betmiga patents. The sales of both items totaled ₩1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2020. The prescription amount for the two items increased to ₩2.3 billion in the fourth quarter, then to ₩2.9 billion in the first quarter of this year. In half a year, prescription performance more than doubled. Generic market share also doubled from 8% to 16% during this period. It is possible to exceed ₩10 billion in annual prescriptions. The prescription amount of the original Betmiga in the first quarter was ₩15.4 billion, down 8% from ₩16.7 billion a year earlier. As the drug price of Betmiga remains almost the same as before, it is interpreted that generic drugs have a direct effect on the decline in original performance. Astellas has postponed the government's disposition of drug price cuts following the release of generics to filing an administrative lawsuit. However, from March this year, the upper limit price was cut by 5.5% according to the price-volume agreement. From 2Q, competition in the Mirabegron market is expected to intensify. This is because Mirabek and Selebeta's generic for exclusivity period ended in February of this year. According to the MFDS, 26 companies in addition to Hanmi and Chong Kun Dang have received the generic for Betmiga license. Betmiga is an overactive bladder treatment launched by Astellas in October 2015. It became a representative item at the same time as it was released. The annual prescription amount is ₩28.8 billion in 2016, ₩41.9 billion in 2017, ₩54.8 billion in 2018, ₩64.7 billion in 2019, and ₩65.1 billion in 2020. About 40 domestic companies challenged the patent. Since 2015, it has filed a request for an invalidation trial and a negative trial for confirming the scope of rights for material patents, formulation patents, crystalline patents, and use patents. Hanmi and Chong Kun Dang won generic for exclusivity. The generic for exclusivity period was from May 4 last year to February 3 this year.
- Company
- Domestic drug Rosuzet/K-CAB sales performance is very good
- by An, Kyung-Jin Apr 26, 2021 01:28am
- Lipitor Lipitor, a treatment for hyperlipidemia, kept the lead in outpatient prescription sales. Drugs developed with domestic technology such as Rosuzet and Zemiglo, led by HK inno.N's K-CAB, increased sales despite prolonged COVID-19. Original drugs are on a decreasing trend after patent expiration. According to UBIST, a drug research institute on the 20th, Pfizer's Lipitor took the lead in overall outpatient prescriptions with ₩43 billion in the first quarter. Lipitor is an Atorvastatin-based treatment for hyperlipidemia, which Pfizer Korea introduced to the domestic market in 1999. After the expiration of the patent, the insurance drug price has dropped to half, and more than 130 generics have been poured out, but except for 2017 alone, it has maintained the lead in prescription sales for the past 10 years. However, the uptrend has slowed. Lipitor reduced the size of quarterly prescriptions by 8.5% compared to ₩47 billion a year earlier. In January and February, prescriptions decreased by 9.9% and 11.2%, respectively. The prescription amount in March was ₩15.3 billion, recovering to the previous year's level. Hanmi's Rosuzet ranked second in prescriptions with an outpatient prescription amount of ₩26.6 billion, up 16.3% year-on-year. Rosuzet is a hyperlipidemia complex consisting of two ingredients: Rosuvastatin Calcium and Ezetimibe. Since its launch at the end of 2015, it has been ranked No. 1 in the same ingredient market. It is analyzed that the strategy of entering the market before competitors while securing the right to use Ezetimibe from the patent holder MSD was effective. Rosuzet recorded an increase of more than 10% each month compared to the previous year, even when there were many restrictions on face-to-face sales marketing activities due toCOVID-19 incident last year. Rosuzet surpassed Gliatamin in the second half of last year, exceeding ₩8 billion in monthly prescriptions. In March, it set its own highest prescription record at ₩9.4 billion and the monthly prescription amount exceeded ₩10 billion. Daewoong's Gliatamin amounted to ₩23.2 billion in outpatient prescriptions in the first quarter of last year, down 1.7% from the same period last year. Gliatamin is generic containing Choline alfoscerate, a brain function improvement agent. As the government imposed two sanctions, including reduction in reimbursement and negotiations for redemption, and pharmaceutical companies protested, an unprecedented legal battle is expected, but the market impact of prescription drugs is still strong. During the same period, the competitive item CKD Gliatilin Soft Cap is ranked 9th overall with outpatient prescription performance of ₩19.8 billion, up 1.2% from the same period last year. HK inno.N's K-CAB showed an unrivaled growth rate, rising 54.7% year-on-year to ₩22.5 billion in prescriptions in the first quarter of last year. K-CAB (Tegoprazan 50mg) is a P-CAB-based anti-ulcer drug released by HK inno.N in March 2019. In gastric parietal cells, it represents a new mechanism of action that inhibits gastric acid secretion by competitively binding the proton pump and potassium ions located in the final stage of acid secretion. The monthly prescription for K-CAB in the first year of its release rose from ₩1.7 billion to ₩5 billion. After securing the indication for GERD as the first indication, the amount of prescriptions increased further with the addition of the indication for gastric ulcer treatment in July of the same year. In January and February this year, when most pharmaceuticals were sluggish, the prescription ranking rose by two steps in the first quarter. It is evaluated that the joint sales strategy with Chong Kun Dang, which has differentiated mechanisms compared to the existing PPI and strong sales power in the digestive system field, created synergy. LG Chem's diabetes combination drug Zemimet's outpatient prescription for the first quarter was ₩20.8 billion. It changed its own prescription record, rising 12.2% from the same period last year. Zemimet is a combination drug that combines Metformin with Zemiglo, a new diabetes drug based on DPP-4 inhibitors developed by LG Chem. Since 2016, it has signed a co-promotion contract with Daewoong and has been selling it jointly. Eutropin, a growth-promoting hormone developed by LG Chem, doubled from the same period last year as it was prescribed ₩17.9 billion worth in the first quarter. Since it was listed on the list of selective benefits at the end of 2018, it has grown rapidly in the prescription drug market. Patent expiration drugs, which are copyrighted by global pharmaceutical companies, still rank at the top of the outpatient prescription market, but the uptrend did not show the same trend as in previous years. The quarterly prescription size of the top 10 outpatient prescription drugs with expired patents such as Boehringer Ingelheim's high blood pressure combination drug Twynsta, Sanofiaventis' antithrombotic drug Plavix, Gilead Science's hepatitis B treatment Viread, and AstraZeneca's hyperlipidemia treatment Crestor declined. Twynsta's outpatient prescription amount fell 7.7% YoY to W21.8bn in 1Q. Twynsta is a hypertensive combination drug that combines ARB-based Telmisartan and CCB-based Amlodipine Besylate. Yuhan Corporation has been selling jointly since 2010, but sales have declined compared to K-CAB since the third quarter of last year. The two hepatitis B treatments that once dominated the prescription drug market had poor prescription performance. Viread barely maintained ₩20 billion, with prescriptions falling 5% in the first quarter. Baraclude by BMS Pharmaceutical, a rival drug, was ₩16.3 billion, down 5.1% from the previous year, ranking 20th in the prescription ranking. For Plavix and Crestor, the amount of prescriptions decreased by 7.5% each. For dementia treatment Handok Aricept, the quarterly prescription amount decreased by 7.3%. Aricept developed by Eisai was changed from Daewoong to Handok in Korea for some items such as Aricept and Aricept Evess in May of last year. The quarterly prescriptions for MSD's diabetes combination drug JANUMET and Astellas Pharmaceutical's prostatic hypertrophy treatment Harnal fell 3.5% and 6.2% respectively.
