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- 2026-04-04 13:41:29
- Policy
- How to stabilize supply of national essential medicines
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Oct 18, 2024 05:49am
- While prescribing drugs by ingredient name and introducing international nonproprietary names (INNs) are being discussed as measures to stabilize the supply of drugs, voices have emerged calling for a system that allows the use of the same ingredient drugs as nationally essential medicines. The issue of stabilizing the supply of not only national essential medicine but also drugs that are constantly experiencing supply and demand instability is one of the most frequent questions asked by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee's national audit this year. According to the written inquiries submitted by the MFDS to the National Assembly on the 17th, 7 lawmakers - Yoon Kim, Hee-Seung Park, Jong-Heon Baek, Mi-Hwa Seo, Young-Seok Seo, Byung-Hoon So, and In-soon Nam - inquired about stabilizing the supply of medicines. Representative Yoon Kim pointed out the unstable supply of national essential medicines and asked how the MFDS plans to promote the use of drugs with the same ingredient name. “Changing the method of prescriptions is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Welfare,” said the MFDS, adding, ’The MFDS will cooperate with the competent ministry, which is MOHW, if requested.” For national essential drugs, the Stable Supply Consultative Group is discussing comprehensive measures, improving the criteria for designating pediatric drugs as national essential medicines and the designation and removal national essential medicines. In particular, in the case of pediatric drugs, products that are essential for pediatric patients but have unstable supply are designated as national essential medicines. The MFDS said, “In the case of medicines whose supply is expected to be interrupted (shortage) due to insufficient production, we will jointly respond with the Ministry of Health and Welfare through the Public-Private Consultative body for Unstable Supply and Demand of Medicines, reviewing measures including raising drug prices.’ Representative Hee-Seung Park inquired about the reasons for the supply chain instability of national essential drugs, to which the MFDS responded, “We understand that the supply chain instability of national essential drugs is intensifying due to a combination of factors such as increased demand due to infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and deterioration of solvency due to rising production costs.” There was also an inquiry about the supply interruption report, which is required to be reported to the MFDS 60 days before the supply interruption. On this, the MFDS announced on the 4th of this month that the ‘Rules on the Safety of Drugs, Etc.’ will be amended to change the supply interruption reporting criteria from 60 days to 180 days in advance from April 5th next year. Until now, reporting drug shortages had been a recommended measure, but from next year, it will become mandatory. “In order to promptly receive drug supply interruption reports, the deadline for reporting supply interruptions has been moved up from 60 days to 180 days in advance,” said the ministry, adding, “If a pharmaceutical company has a plan to reduce production and imports below a certain standard, it must file a report within 1 month.” Representative Jong-Heon Baek called for a stable supply plan through the expansion of domestically produced drugs. “We support domestic pharmaceutical companies to develop manufacturing process technologies for national essential medicines that are highly dependent on imports and require stable supply and demand, and will continue to strive for the stable supply and self-sufficiency of raw materials and finished products for national essential medicines that are essential for healthcare,” the MFDS explained. Through the self-sufficiency of national essential medicines project, which has been underway since 2022 with the Korea Orphan & Essential Drug Center and the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, the associations completed the development of 3 raw materials (amiodarone, ketoconazole, and benserazide) and 2 finished drugs (amiodarone injection and tablets) in the first phase (2022-2023). As the second phase (2024~2026) of the project, the company is developing 3 raw materials (acetaminophen, ipratropium, and furosemide) and 2 finished products (acetaminophen and furosemide). The MFDS also responded to Representative Young-Seok Seo’s inquiry about the need to monitor the process of distributing medicines that are difficult to supply to pharmacies and medical institutions. The MFDS said, “The MOHW is in charge of reporting on the supply of medicines, and the two ministries are responding to timely identification of supply and demand issues through smooth information exchange. We will continue such information exchange in the future so that the relevant ministries can jointly respond to drug supply insecurity.” It was also pointed out that compared to direct response measures such as emergency import or made-to-order production, the measures made by the ministries end at indirect measures such as monitoring and encouraging production. “There are many reasons for drug supply interruptions, such as production issues and raw material supply problems, and we are responding to each cause by reviewing the existence of substitute drugs and consulting with experts,” the MFDS said, adding, “We will prepare a response manual for drug supply interruptions in the future.”
- Policy
- 'Can the Yoon administration develop blockbuster drugs?'
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Oct 18, 2024 05:49am
- Criticism has been raised that the government's policy to create global blockbuster drugs is not working and has a dark future. It has been pointed out that the difficulty in raising funds to support the R&D costs for pharmaceutical and biotech companies and ventures is causing financial difficulties for bioventures, and that expert human resource training is not being done properly, either. On the 17th, lawmaker In-soon Nam of the Democratic Party of Korea questioned Soon-do Cha, President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, about the policy direction of the pharmaceutical bio-industry during the National Assembly audit of the agency. Rep Nam said, “At the beginning, there was some talk that Cha is closely communicating with President Suk-Yeol Yoon. I'm not pointing any fingers, but I was expecting the business of the KHIDI to progress better.” ‘The Yoon administration is saying that we should support the development of the pharmaceutical bio industry as a future growth engine, but not much speed nor progress is being made in the field. The administration said that it will support the creation of 2 blockbuster drugs by 2027, but can it really achieve this?” “We have set an implementation plan and are checking the implementation of the comprehensive plan every year,” Cha replied, “I know it is difficult, and there are no guarantees, but we are proceeding surely and cautiously.” Nam criticized Cha's tendency to give generalized answers and requested more specific result reports. “What I'm hearing is that biotech companies are facing financial difficulties,” Nam said, adding, “New investments should be flowing in, but they're decreasing. I wonder if the Yoon administration is really setting a policy direction for the pharma-bio industry as Korea’s future food.” “I heard that the pharma-bio fund has not been created yet. Are they fostering human resources? Please submit your progress in detail before the comprehensive audit,” said Nam.
- Company
- Bladder cancer drug Balversa offers new treatment option
- by Whang, byung-woo Oct 18, 2024 05:49am
- The introduction of the targeted therapy Balversa (erdafitinib) in urothelial carcinoma has attracted attention for its potential to address unmet needs. In particular, the emergence of FGFR inhibitors has highlighted the importance of genetic mutation diagnostics to quickly detect the presence of such mutations. (from the left) Professor Tae-Jung Kim, Professor Inho Kim, BU director Yeon-Hee Kim Inho Kim, professor of Oncology at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, and Tae-Jung Kim, professor of pathology at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, emphasized the importance of diagnosing FGFR mutations at a press conference held by Janssen Korea on the 16th, which was held to celebrate the launch of Balversa. Balversa was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in January 2022. However, it is still not reimbursed in Korea. Specifically, the drug is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) with FGFR2 or FGFR3 genetic alterations whose disease has progressed on or after at least one line of prior systemic therapy, which includes platinum-based chemotherapy, or whose disease has progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. However, the approval of PD-1 and PD-L1-directed immuno-oncology agents in the first- and second-line settings that followed Balversa’s approval led to the need for Balversa to demonstrate efficacy in patients who previously received these agents. The situation was addressed with the publication of Balversa’s Phase III THOR trial study, which demonstrated a prolonged overall survival (OS) benefit with Balversa over chemotherapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma with FGFR3/2 gene alterations whose disease progressed after first-line treatment with immuno-oncology agents. In the study, Balversa prolonged overall survival (OS) compared with chemotherapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Results showed that over a median follow-up of 15.9 months, the mOS was 12.1 months in the Balversa arm, reducing the risk of death by 36% compared with the 7.8 months in the chemotherapy arm. Based on these findings, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Balversa formal approval in January, but with a more restricted indication than originally approved. “Bladder cancer is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 60s and older, with frequent recurrences and metastases, so it is important to prevent metastases or treat recurrences and metastases early,” said Professor In-ho Kim. “There is a significant unmet therapeutic need, especially for patients with distant metastases, where the 5-year relative survival rate is only 11.7%.” ‘Balversa is the first targeted therapy for bladder cancer, which is significant because it improves survival in patients who have exhausted both chemotherapy and immuno-oncology options and provides an opportunity for further treatment,’ added Professor Kim. The second speaker, Professor Tae-Jung Kim, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis of FGFR mutations in bladder cancer patients. ‘FGFRs play a significant role in signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, differentiation, survival and migration,’ said Professor Kim. ’FGFR mutations are found in a variety of cancers, but they are particularly common in bladder cancer, where they are observed in approximately 20% of patients.’ ‘The use of mutation-specific targeted therapies may help stop cancer proliferation and progression or improve the effectiveness of other treatments,’ he added. ’The NCCN guidelines also consider or recommend molecular/genomic testing for genetic mutations in some patients, such as those with bladder cancer tumor invasion grade IIIB or higher.’ In other words, for patients with bladder cancer who are in the chemotherapy phase, the guidelines recommend testing for genetic mutations in the early stages of treatment strategy planning. “We are pleased to be able to offer a new treatment option in FGFR-mutated urothelial cancer with Balversa. We plan to communicate the clinical benefits and emphasize the importance of mutation diagnosis so that more patients can benefit from Balversa treatment.”
- Company
- 'Vorasidenib' receives Orphan Drug Designation in KOR
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 18, 2024 05:49am
- 'Vorasidenib,' an anticancer drug targeting brain cancer, has been designated an orphan drug in South Korea. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced this on October 8th through the Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) notice. Vorasidenib is an orally administered dual inhibitor of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1/2 that selectively penetrates the blood-brain barrier. The drug's efficacy for selective malignant brain tumors (neuroglioma) was demonstrated through a double-blind Phase 3 clinical trial led by a research team at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The research team administered the targeted anticancer drug vorasidenib (40 mg single dose per day) or placebo to 331 patients with specified brain tumors (residual or recurrent Grade 2 glioma with IDH mutation) who have undergone brain tumor surgery as their only treatment. Grade 2 gliomas with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation are malignant brain tumors that cause considerable disability in patients, leading to early death. Gliomas tend to advance slowly but are fatal and affect people in their 30s. Study participants were randomly assigned to vorasidenib-treated patients (study group) and placebo-treated patients (control group). 168 of these patients took vorasidenib, and 163 took the placebo. Study results showed that the progression-free survival (PFS) for the vorasidenib-treated patient group was 27.7 months and that for the placebo-treated patient group was 11.1 months. Vorasidenib delayed the progression of malignant tumors by 16.6 months and lowered the death risk to 39%. Additionally, it improved the time until the next anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy), reducing the patient death risk to 26%. The side effects experienced by the vorasidenib-treated patient group were 22.8%, whereas 13.5% in the placebo-treated patient group. However, no significant side effects have been found. The primary endpoint was imaging based PFS and the secondary endpoint was the time to the next anticancer intervention. Of those study participants, 226 (about 68%) patients had a follow-up of 14.2 months (median value) and continued to take vorasidenib or placebo. At 30 months (Sept. 2022), 72% of the vorasidenib-treated patient group was still taking the drug and had not experienced disease progression. Meanwhile, France-based Servier Pharmaceuticals developed vorasidenib and is proceeding with the approval process in the U.S. and Europe.
- Company
- Will blockbuster contraception Mercilon find a new provider?
- by Nho, Byung Chul Oct 18, 2024 05:49am
- Product photo of Mercilon As Alvogen Korea and Chong Kun Dang's co-promotion contracts for oral birth control pills are set to expire, many pharmaceutical·distributors are sending love calls. Sources said that distributors, including pharmaceutical companies with strength in over-the-counter drug sales, have visited Alvogen Korea and Chong Kun Dang to weigh considerations. Alvogen and Chong Kun Dang signed a domestic distribution agreement for Mercilon in 2019. Alvogen has been responsible for the approval·imports·marketing of the drug, and Chong Kun Dang has been responsible for pharmacy sales. At the time, Alvogen chose Chong Kun Dang as the Korean partnership company for Mercilon because it had a variety of line-ups for female diseases and a nationwide pharmacy sales network. Chong Kung Dang has a variety of OTC products for women, including the painkiller PENZAL, Prefemin for premenstrual symptoms, the anemia treatment Bolgre, and the prenatal nutritional supplement Gowoonzymemom. As it is relates to the sales agreement, Alvogen and Chong Kun Dang are remaining silent about 'The termination due to contract maintenance·expiration.' There are opinions that, considering continued generation of sales, Chong Kun Dang may retain the sales rights. Based on pharmaceutical sales performance, Mercilon generated KRW 2.97 billion until the first half of the year, ranking no.1 in the product line containing desogestrel·ethinyl estradiol. Mercilon's exterior growth for 2020·2021·2022·2023 were KRW 7.6 billion·KRW6.9 billion·KRW6.9 billion·KRW7.2 billion. However, if a company proposes conditions like dramatic sales growth, considerable commission reduction, or even taking over all the remaining stock (estimated at KRW 6 billion), another company may acquire the sales rights because Alvogen has nothing to lose. Meanwhile, companies that are likely to get sales growth upon acquiring Mercilon sales right include Dongkook Pharmaceutical, Kwangdong Pharmaceutical, and ZP Therapeutics. Dongkook Pharmaceutical launched the third-generation birth control pill in 2020, but it has not caused a significant shift in the market. Kwangdong Pharmaceutical has Sunhana·Senselibe. However, they have generated KRW 28 million and KRW 1.1 billion, respectively. ZP Therapeutics acquired approval rights for Actinum in 2022, and the company has been actively pursuing sales and marketing. Considering this situation, these pharmaceutical companies are guaranteed annual sales of about KRW 10 billion when they acquire the sales rights of Mercilon, which is close to blockbuster. However, considering the co-promotion fee is 8-15%, the net gain may be lower than their in-house OTC sales. Meanwhile, Mercilon has ranked No.1 in OTC oral birth control pills. It shows contraceptive effects by combining the actions of ethinyl estradiol, estrogen, and desogestrel, progesterone. The clinical trials for Mercilon have been completed in 12 European countries. Mercilon is a global brand sold in 42 companies worldwide.
- Policy
- Gov't opposes to suspending reimb·ingredient prescribing
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Oct 17, 2024 05:52am
- The government has opposed the proposed measure, which aims to minimize the chaos in prescription·dispensing by suspending insurance reimbursement or blocking prescription code of drugs when substitute drugs are available. Suspending reimbursement of drugs covered by insurance is a temporary measure implemented in the case of administrative meaures from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), such as canceling marketing authorization. The government rationale is that suspending reimbursement due to drug shortages would only confuse patients and pharmacies. At the time of the separation of prescribing and dispensing of drugs, the government also opposed to the measure to allow active ingredient prescribing of drugs in shortages. The rationale for the opposition was that it violated the agreement between the government and the medical community. On October 15th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced this in response to written parliamentary questions submitted by Rep Seo Youngseok and Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea. Rep. Seo asked MOHW's opinion about suspending insurance reimbursement or blocking the prescription code of drugs when substitute drugs are available. To resolve the issue of drug shortages, Rep. Nam proposed the need to legalize the DUR notification, limit the number of days of prescription, temporarily suspend issuing reimbursement, and implement active ingredient prescription. The MOHW explained that they are reviewing drug pricing adjustments after receiving applications from pharmaceutical companies when the drug shortages consultative body requests that it is necessary to increase the supply by adjusting the ceiling price. The MOHW also answered that suspending reimbursement of drugs in shortages and implementing active ingredient prescription requires careful consideration. "Suspension of reimbursement is a limited measure when the MFDS' approval of the product is revoked," the MOHW stated. "Suspension of reimbursement for drugs in shortages may cause confusion in the field, such as patients and pharmacies, so careful consideration is required." "Currently, the drugs that have been reported to be out of supply are being directed to DUR. In addition, the DUR notification on additional drugs in shortages should be prioritized by establishing standards for drugs in shortages," the MOHW stated, adding, "We believe that limiting the number of prescription days for drugs in shortage is necessary in exceptional cases where it is difficult to increase production, such as a shortage of raw materials. It is necessary to prepare a relevant legal basis." Regarding the active ingredient prescribing for drugs that are in shortage, the MOHW stated, "It is necessary to be cautious by changing the agreement at the time of the separation." Regarding the MOHW's measures against the shortage of Imotun supply at clinical sites such as pharmacies, the MOHW staged that they would consider utilizing substitute drugs. In response to Rep. Suh's point that special measures such as restricting Imotun's salary are necessary, the MOHW expressed their position on careful consideration. The MOHW explained, "Imotun Cap is produced by receiving the supply of Avocado-Soya Unsaponifiables raw materials from France," adding, "As it is a herbal ingredient, the production of raw materials is constant. Therefore, there will be a small increase in supply in 2023 compared to 2022, but there will be a limit to sufficient supply." "The drug in question was discussed at a meeting between the public-private consultative body for drug shortages and the medical community," the MOHW added. "It was discussed as an adjunctive treatment for osteoarthritis, and it was discussed as a drug that is difficult to respond to first considering the possibility of using other drugs with similar effects. We will consider the use of alternative drugs in the future." "Imotun Cap was recognized for its clinical usefulness in the 2022 re-evaluation after the conditional reimbursement was maintained in the 2021 reimbursement appropriateness re-evaluation," the MOHW added. "The reimbursement restriction should be reviewed carefully considering the overall social needs. The supply of the drug has been maintained by 160,000 capsules annually, and it does not fall under the reason for the reimbursement restriction due to the recognition of usefulness."
- Policy
- HIRA President, "Copayment ratio needs to be adjusted
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 17, 2024 05:51am
- HIRA President Jung-Gu Kang HIRA President Jung-Gu Kang said that the copayment ratio should be adjusted for anticancer drugs that lack verification of effectiveness. Kang said during the parliamentary audit by the Health and Welfare Committee, "We must lower the patient access hurdle and increase monitoring." Adding, "Especially because we evaluate high-cost drugs that have not completed phase 3 studies, copayment ratio needs to be adjusted to lower patient access hurdle for drugs that lack verification of effectiveness." It means that the current 5% ratio needs to be increased for anticancer drugs lacking verification of effectiveness. Rep. Juyoung Lee of the National Reform Party said, "I agree with differential ratio," adding, "But, the rationale to supply cheap does not meet the global standard." Rep. Lee has requested expanding reimbursement through fast track, investing in clinical trials, and specifying a monitoring plan for the alternative measure to the Korean passing of anticancer drugs.
- Policy
- Alvogen receives approval for its Humira biosimilar in KOR
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Oct 17, 2024 05:51am
- AbbVie A fifth Humira biosimilar has been approved in Korea. On the 15th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved Alvogen Korea's Simlandi pen40mg/0.4mL (adalimumab, recombinant), Simandi Prefilled Syringe Inj 40mg/0.4mL and 80mg/0.8mL.. Simlandi is imported and manufactured on consignment by Alvotech, a subsidiary of Alvogen Korea. It is the fourth biosimilar to be approved in Korea after Samsung Bioepis, Celltrion, and LG Chem, with more than 10 biosimilars approved globally following the patent expiry of the original, AbbVie's Humira. Simlandi is indicated for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondyloarthritis, adult Crohn's disease, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, Behçet's enteritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis in adults. In pediatrics, it is also approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease in children (6 to 17 years of age). In February, Simlandi was approved by the U.S. FDA as the 10th Humira biosimilar. At the time of FDA approval, it was recognized for its high-concentration, citrate-free biosimilar formulation and for being the first biosimilar that pharmacies can substitute for the original drug without consulting a physician (prescriber) in the U.S. In the case of Humira, 88% of the prescriptions in the US are for high-concentration formulations. High-concentration products have the advantage of requiring fewer injections and less frequent dosing. They are usually subcutaneous (SC) rather than intravenous (IV), allowing for self-injection at lower doses. In the U.S., Humira biosimilars include Amgen's ‘Amgevita,’ Boehringer Ingelheim's ‘Cyltezo,’ Sandoz's ‘Hyrimoz,’ Samsung and Organon's ‘Hadlima,’ Pfizer's ‘Abrilada,’ Biocon’s ‘Hulio,’ Coherus‘ ‘Yusimry,’ Fresenius Kabi’s ‘Idacio,’ and Celltrion's ‘Yuflyma.’ Humira is a blockbuster drug that posted global sales of approximately USD 21.27 billion (approximately KRW 27.926 trillion) in 2022, with the adalimumab market valued at approximately KRW 100 billion.
- Opinion
- [Reporter’s View] Deadlines are set for a reason
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 17, 2024 05:51am
- The definition of ‘deadline’ is a time limit set in advance. So what is the right thing to do if the deadline has ended without a conclusion being made? Providing a justifiable explanation is very important in administrative affairs. Explanations are necessary not only in the course of introducing or abolishing a system, but also when exceptions occur in the process of applying regulations. However, no explanation has been given when the drug price negotiation term between the NHIS and pharmaceutical companies have been extended beyond the deadline. The parties involved point to the ‘confidentiality clause’ as the reason for the lack of explanation. They do not disclose whether the negotiations will be extended or terminated. This is despite the fact that more and more drugs are entering into extended negotiations beyond the deadline. In the era of the so-called “high-priced” drugs, so many good but high-priced drugs are being released, therefore, it may be difficult for the government and pharmaceutical companies to reach an agreement within the 60-day deadline. But a deadline is a promise. Moreover, the deadline was offered as a ‘benefit’ by the government, as it has announced a plan to shorten the review deadline for homegrown new drugs. The reduced deadline was a device that limits the final negotiation period and speeds up the approval process while providing a sense of timing for the companies. However, the responsibility lies with both sides. At some point, the prolongation in negotiations becomes pervasive, and the sense that an expensive and difficult medicine can't be finished in a single term, as well as the lack of a mindset of delivering results on time, has been leading to the repetition of exceptional cases. If discussions have become difficult, the conditions for initiating the negotiations should be strengthened. The NHIS should receive strong pressure to discuss in advance the necessary documents for pharmaceutical companies to prepare at the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service stage before the start of negotiations and to complete them within the deadline. In the end, the patient is left to wait. Patients who hear that drug price negotiations are left to just wait without promise. After 3-4 months of await, no news is heard of the drug’s reimbursement. Even when the patient calls the government and pharmaceutical companies, the only response he or she can get is that “They cannot comment on the matter.” It is understandable that the HIRA stage, which evaluates the adequacy of a drug’s reimbursement based on clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and the drug price negotiation stage, which is directly related to the “financial condition” of the parties involved, can be more sensitive phases for governments and pharmaceutical companies. But one has to wonder how long the ‘confidential’ clause can be seen as a just reason. Times have changed. Patients and their families will no longer stand on the sidelines.
- Product
- Wegovy's price varies by pharmacy in Korea
- by Jung, Heung-Jun Oct 17, 2024 05:51am
- The price of Wegovy, which has been attracting much attention since its launch in Korea, has been found to vary greatly, ranging from KRW 420,000 to KRW 800,000. Some pharmacists who have not yet decided on the selling price are referring to the prices of in-house prescriptions at hospitals and local pharmacies. The prices of Wegovy at pharmacies listed on some non-face-to-face treatment platforms this morning (16th) varied widely. The platforms disclose the prices of non-reimbursed drugs set by pharmacies, such as those for diet and hair loss, so viewers can check the prices of not only Wegovy but also Saxenda. Even pharmacies in the same district had large price differences, as identified through non-face-to-face treatment platforms While the price of Saxenda is somewhat established, varying by 5-10% among pharmacies, the price range of Wegovy, which is in its early stages of release, varies by over twofold among pharmacies. The selling price set by pharmacies varies from 420,000 won to 800,000 won. Most pharmacies in the Seoul metropolitan area set the selling price at over KRW 500,000. However, there are cases where the price varies by KRW 200,000 even in the same district, so the price is expected to be adjusted gradually after distribution begins in earnest. Saxenda, which was launched in Korea in 2018, was also initially priced differently by clinics and pharmacies but gradually stabilized to form a price range. A pharmacist in Seoul said, “There is a lot of talk in the pharmacist community about how much to charge. Hospitals are also sharing their selling price. We had to set the price, but it became difficult when the supply price was released in advance in the media. Large pharmacies or hard-to-reach areas may sell Wegovy at that level.” As hospitals showed much interest in the drug, receiving preorders for Wegovy before the launch, they are expected to market the drug in earnest after its supply. While there are expectations that the Saxenda craze may shift to Wegovy, its relatively high cost is also expected to raise some price resistance. It is expected that many people will call hospitals and pharmacies to check the selling price. Pharmacist B in Seoul said, “The price difference is inevitable because it is non-reimbursed and everyone is watching each other closely. I think it will take some time for the price to stabilize. Also, since consumers are aware of the supply price, many people will call hospitals and pharmacies to check their price.”
