“Amgen knows how to do it right in Korea”

“All products launched after opening the Korean office have been listed, now to expand coverage”

“No plan for downsizing the Korean office, continuing to engage with the labor union”

Amgen knows the game in the industry.

 

Besides the title of the ‘Number One Global Bio Company,’ Amgen Korea knows how to be versatile in South Korea.

 

Since opening the South Korean office in 2015, Amgen listed all six products—antiarthritis Prolia (denosumab) and Evenity (romosozumab), skeletal-related events preventing drug Xgeva (denosumab), high cholesterol treatment Repatha (evolocumab), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment Blincyto (blinatumomab) and multiple myeoloma treatment Kyprolis (carfilzomib)—for the National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement.

 

Considering the NHI system, listing each product was not the easiest job.

 

However, Amgen Korea’s determination and concentration drove the negotiation with the government to the conclusion.

 

Currently, all six products are leading the respective markets.

 

Surely their products are ‘good,’ but also Amgen Korea can play the game the right way.

 

Daily Pharm interviewed General Manager Noh Sang-kyung, who has been overseeing the Korean office from the start to date, for his insight and know-how.

 

-Seeking for coverage on every product could not have been easy. Each product developed by pharmaceutical companies has its own unique quality and strengths.

 

And as listing a drug for coverage in South Korea requires to raise awareness of the unmet medical needs, it is crucial, for the reimbursement negotiation process, to provide data to prove how much of benefit the treatment can give to patients.

 

The ‘Value Access’ division staffs in charge of drug pricing in the company analyze and compile a vast amount of data to survey the unmet medical needs in South Korean clinical scene, and support the company to convince the government to fully understand and relate with the said needs through the provided data.

 

-Amgen’s global pipeline seems to be actively working on biosimilars.

 

Do you plan to release the biosimilar products in South Korea as well?

 

About two years ago, we had a relevant discussion, and Amgen Korea has decided to not launch any biosimilar for now.

 

As a leading biotechnology company emphasizing the value of ‘science,’ Amgen’s has a goal to provide innovative treatment in the areas with unmet medical needs for patients.

 

The further option could be considered in the future, but there is no immediate plan.

 

-Amgen is expected to receive the U.S.

 

Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval on currently investigating KRAS treatment sotorasib.

 

Do you think the approval process in South Korea would be swift? South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) makes the decision according to their review, so I cannot give you detailed schedule.

 

But as the health authority is well aware of the highly unmet medical needs in KRAS targeted therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the company aims to do its best to accelerate the process.

 

-As mentioned above, all six products have been listed.

 

Now seems to be the time to think of expanding the coverage.

 

Chronic disease patients may not have immediate risk of urgent health issue, even if they do not get treated right now.

 

But if they are left untreated, the condition could cause severe health issue.

 

Unfortunately in South Korea, I personally think the introducing the new paradigm in managing osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases is far over due.

 

Only in this country, the patients with osteoporosis have to suspend treatment due to the one-year limit on the coverage.

 

-While negotiating with the headquarters regarding the drug pricing, have you ever felt the chance of so-called ‘Korea Passing?’ I have not felt the threat, yet.

 

But I do feel that the drug pricing discussion with the headquarters would get tougher in the future.

 

Already China and Canada have officially stated they would include South Korea as one of pricing reference countries, and the U.S.

 

also said it would refer to all OECD member countries including South Korea for the drug pricing.

 

Calculating the drug pricing in South Korea against GDP, it is considered the lowest among the world.

 

So if the pricing here eventually affects the pricing in the U.S., we may face some difficulties in the future.

 

-In November last year, Amgen Korea also formed a labor union.

 

How do you plan to handle negotiation with the labor union?

 

When a labor union is created in a company, both parties need some time to build the relationship together.

 

I think the union was formed due to the uncertainty in employment amid COVID-19, where the sales activities were restricted and the risk of infectious disease was wearing them down too long.

 

Personally, the forming of the labor union ultimately means the employees want to talk to the management.

 

The labor union mostly shares common objectives with the management.

 

So the company is attentively listening to their opinions and frequently open conversations.

 

-Recently, Amgen Global announced a downsizing plan.

 

How is it affecting Amgen Korea?

 

The U.S.

 

headquarters announced a downsizing plan.

 

But the company has only started the business in APAC region five to six years ago, and it still has strong determination to expand the investment in the region.

 

Clearly, the current employees do not have to stress about the downsizing.