Drug switching for atopic dermatitis measure submitted

Pharmaceutical companies have submitted their financial impact analysis reports

Pharmaceutical companies have submitted their measures for voluntary drug price reduction as part of financial allotment following expanded reimbursement.

Discussions about allowing drug switching between biological agents and JAK inhibitors used to treat severe atopic dermatitis are speeding up.

 

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) has already prepared the reimbursement criteria, and pharmaceutical companies have submitted their measures for voluntary drug price reduction as part of financial allotment following expanded reimbursement.

 

Attention is drawn to whether it will pass the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) review, the final stage for reviewing reimbursement appropriateness.

 

According to industry sources on November 6th, pharmaceutical companies Pfizer for Cibinqo and Lily for Olumiant submitted their financial impact analysis to the HIRA.

 

The drug pricing reduction system for expanded scope of use requires the submission of financial impact analysis reports.

 

The government excludes drug price reduction when the estimated additional claim amount following the expanded scope of use is below KRW 1.5 billion.

 

The drug price reduction is applied for products over KRW 1.5 billion and below KRW 10 billion.

 

In this case, pharmaceutical companies are required to submit a financial impact analysis, including measures to voluntarily lower prices, to the HIRA.

 

In mid-October, the HIRA required each pharmaceutical company to submit financial impact analysis.

 

Earlier this month, pharmaceutical companies have started to submit their reports.

 

The issue of allowing drug switching for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis was dealt with in the parliamentary audit held last month, so the health and welfare authority appears to be rushing the measure.

 

The HIRA has been discussing with experts since September about whether to allow drug switching between biological agents and JAK inhibitors.

 

The reimbursement criteria have been prepared, reflecting the latest evidence and clinical application.

 

The remaining step is to minimize the financial impact following the expanded scope of use.

 

Pharmaceutical companies' percentage of voluntary drug price reduction is the key.

 

As pharmaceutical companies have submitted their measures for voluntary price reduction, the the Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee (DREC) review of the HIRA will make a final decision.

 

The 11th DREC review is scheduled for July 2024.

 

Attention is drawn to whether drug switching for severe atopic dermatitis will be considered for the agenda.

 

When it passes the DREC review, the final reimbursement expansion will be decided through negotiation with the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).

 

Meanwhile, treatments for severe atopic dermatitis have been listed for reimbursement, starting with the biological agent, 'Dupixent Inj,' approved in January 2020.

 

It was followed by the JAK inhibitors, Olumniant Tab, Linvoq ER Tab, and Cibinqo Tab.

 

In May, another biological agent, Adtralza PFS, was listed for reimbursement.

 

As a result, patients have more drug options.

 

However, reimbursement and special cases do not cover drug switching between biological agents and JAK inhibitors, so it remains an issue.

 

When clinical practices initially use high-cost drugs, and then the effects seen are not apparent, they may continue administering first-line treatments.

 

Therefore, the medical community has been demanding the allowance of drug switching.