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- 2026-04-04 16:37:09
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- Zomig distributor changes from AZ to SK Chemicals
- by Kim JiEun Sep 25, 2024 05:49am
- Product photo of Zomig Tab.The distributor of Zomig Tab, a triptan used in the treatment of migraine, will change from AstraZeneca Korea to SK Chemical. The distribution industry suggests that the change in a distributor could impact the supply and demand chain. AstraZeneca Korea recently sent an official letter to the pharmaceutical wholesaler community of 'termination of a distribution agreement and changes to distributor' of Zomig Tab. The company stated in the official letter that starting on October 1st, due to the sales agreement, Zomig Tab 2.5 mg distributor will change from AstraZeneca Korea to SK Chemicals. Zomig Tab has been in shortage several times. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) predicted drug shortages three times between last year and early this year. AstraZeneca reported MFDS that such supply shortages were due to laying in supplies and the company requested more supply volume to the manufacturer. The industry suggests that the current supply shortage may be partially due to AstraZeneca Korea's lack of domestic promotion of the drug after selling the global sales rights of Zomig Tab to another company. After officially learning about the Zomig Tab distributor change, the industry confirmed that an anticipated factor may have contributed to the supply shortages. The wholesaler community predicted that the distribution of the drug might be unstable for a while since the order requests have not been processed properly following the announcement related to the Zomig Tab distributor change. A wholesaler said, "Order request for Zomig Tab did not go through today, and we found that there has been a change to the distributor,' adding, 'Even if SK Chemicals take over the sales rights, distribution will be affected for a while. We think that the drug supply will be impacted for at least 15 days."
- Policy
- First generic version of Qudexy XR Cap is approved in KOR
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Sep 25, 2024 05:49am
- The first generic version of the topiramate-based extended-release epilepsy treatment ‘Qudexy XR Cap’ has been approved in Korea. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety granted marketing authorization for Intrio Biopharma’s ‘Topimed XR Tab. 50mg’ on the 23rd. Unlike ‘Qudexy XR Cap’ which is an oblong hard capsule formulation, Topimed XR Tab was developed as a circular extended-release film-coated tablet. Intrio Biopharma has been developing Topimed XR Tab since 2022. The original epilepsy drug that contains topiramate was Janssen's ‘Topamax Tab,’ but in 2014, the U.S. generic company Upsher-Smith developed and received U.S. FDA approval for Qudexy XR Cap, which is an extended-release capsule formulation that is not available with Topamax. Qudexy XR Cap is also the topiramate approved in Korea. The drug was also supplied by SK Chemicals in August 2017 and is listed on the KFDA's Green List and protected until January 2034. However, the newly approved Topimed XR Tab is likely to be released as a film-coated tablet formulation, rather than the capsule formulation that is being protected with a patent. This is because no pharmaceutical company has attempted to avoid Qudexy XR Cap’s patent. Topimed XR Tab is indicated ▲ as initial monotherapy in patients 6 years of age and older with partial-onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and ▲ as adjunctive therapy in children 2 years of age and older and adults with partial seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). While existing immediate-release topiramate formulations are taken twice daily, this medication is an extended-release formulation that is absorbed into the body more slowly and can be taken once daily. Topiramate-based formulations are the most prescribed ingredient in the KRW 80 billion antiepileptic drug market with a sales volume of KRW 30 billion, and the outpatient prescription value of Qudexy XR Cap was KRW 3.5 billion based on UBIST last year. The drug has been covered through insurance reimbursement in Korea since February 2018.
- Company
- "Bird flu: a new emerging pandemic risk factor"
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 25, 2024 05:49am
- Jacob Lee, Professor of the Division of Infectious Disease at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital.The industry is preparing against avian influenza, which can be transmitted from animal to human, as it is predicted to be the next pandemic risk factor. Experts suggest that an improved vaccine technology development and manufacturing system are required ahead of the emerging pandemic following COVID-19. CSL Seqirus Korea held a press conference on September 24th at Hotel President in Seoul to share the recent advances in avian influenza. During the meeting, Jacob Lee, Professor of the Division of Infectious Disease at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, emphasized strengthening Korea's response measure strategy for avian influenza. Avian influenza is an infectious respiratory disease that commonly occurs in wild birds. Recently, there have been cases of animal and human infections in addition to poultry and wild birds. In March, a death case was reported in Vietnam related to avian influenza human infection. The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu, which emerged from a type of influenza A and is spreading world-wide, has infected over 300 species of birds and over 40 species of animals. 14 cases related to H5N1 human infection transmitted from cows and birds were reported in the United States alone. Several duck farms in South Korea have recently reported H5N1 infection cases. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is preparing responses to potential influenza pandemic, such as holding a symposium to discuss response plans. Lee said, "Although continual human-to-human infection has not been reported, there are increasing cases of animal-to-human infection. The academics consider avian influenza as the risk factor for causing the next pandemic." And added, "We could use vaccine technologies developed for COVID-19, such as the messenger RNA (mRNA) platform, for influenza. Establishing these platforms can reduce development time once an antigen is chosen." mRNA vaccines are composed of mRNA molecules and lipid nanoparticles surrounding it. mRNA contains a genetic material that can synthesize target proteins, and lipid nanoparticles protect mRNA, working as a transporter to deliver mRNA into the body. Recent studies showed that lipid nanoparticles can function as not only an mRNA transporter but also an 'immune enhancer,' increasing immune responses to vaccines. Lee says that Korea needs to secure vaccines that can enhance immunity since technology is still lacking. CSL Seqirus is known to manufacture vaccines rapidly through its platform. The company can readily shift from manufacturing seasonal vaccine influenza to pandemic influenza vaccine using its global manufacturing network. Moreover, the company manufactures and supplies vaccines for viral variations and zoonotic viruses. Marc Lacey, CSL Seqirus Global Pandemic Head, said, "We have built vaccine technologies through years of vaccine development experiences. For example, MF59 can enhance immune responses with a small antigen dosage. For H5N1 avian influenza variant, it only took 79 days until the vaccine developed. Our company can readily respond to global pandemic influenza." Lee said, "Vaccines that can be produced domestically in South Korea are egg-based and cell-based. Korea needs to develop the mRNA vaccine platform and immune enhancers. If the development is difficult, we must establish a system to introduce vaccines from overseas."
- Company
- ‘Link the processes to improve access to orphan drugs'
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Sep 25, 2024 05:49am
- A claim has been raised that the approval, evaluation, and negotiation linkage system should be introduced to strengthen access to rare disease drugs. Also, the claim that the pharmacoeconomic evaluation system should be flexibly applied to rare disease drugs and that the scope of the risk-sharing agreement system be expanded was raised at the time. Seung-Rae Yu, a professor at Dongduk Women's University College of Pharmacy, made the arguments above at the ‘Roundtable on Improving Access to Rare Disease Drugs' that was hosted by NA Representative Youngseok Seo (NA Welfare and Health Committee) that was held on the 24th. While introducing a study that was conducted on rare disease patients in Korea, Professor Yu said that 8 out of 10 patients feel a financial burden in the process of treating rare diseases without reimbursement. He pointed out that even though the government has continuously strengthened coverage, the number of cases for which treatments were not introduced to Korea or had not been listed for reimbursement in the long term has been increasing. In response, Yu emphasized the need to introduce a system that combines approval, evaluation, and negotiation to further speed up the reimbursement coverage process in Korea. In this regard, the government is currently conducting a pilot project that conducts reimbursement evaluations at the same time as the marketing authorization application. Yu argued that the pilot project should be expanded into a full-scale project. He also stressed the need to flexibly apply the pharmacoeconomic evaluation to rare disease treatments. He said, “The ICER threshold for the pharmacoeconomic evaluation should be flexibly applied to diseases that irreversibly worsen patients’ lives and cause disease burden, and the application of the risk-sharing system should be expanded to improve Korea’s reimbursement rate.” Yu added that priorities for strengthening coverage should be determined through public discussion in the mid-to-long term. “Given the status of new drugs introduced in Korea compared to major countries and the disparity in the proportion of new drug expenditure within the total drug expenditure, we need to prioritize reimbursement for diseases that have a high disease burden.” The government gave a generally positive evaluation to the approval-evaluation-negotiation linkage pilot project. However, the government announced plans to address the issues identified in the 1st pilot project and proceed with the 2nd pilot project. Eun-Joo Lee, an official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Division of Pharmaceutical Benefits, explained, “The pilot project linking the approval-evaluation-negotiation system is underway. Two drugs were selected for the first pilot project, and we are now preparing to launch the 2nd pilot project.” Lee added, “We had difficulties during the first pilot project,” he said, ”In the case of one drug, it was difficult to objectively measure the drug’s cost-effectiveness due to problems with the evaluation tool in the process of deciding whether to reimburse the drug. We plan to reflect this in the second project.”
- Policy
- Takeda's drug pricing negotiations see different results
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Sep 25, 2024 05:48am
- The drug pricing negotiations for ‘Ceprotin (Protein C Concentrate (Human))’ a new drug for severe congenital protein C deficiency supplied by Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea, fell through. On the other hand, the company reached an agreement and completed negotiations to expand the reimbursement for the ovarian cancer treatment Zejula Cap. According to industry sources on the 24th, the National Health Insurance Service announced so while updating the list of drugs that have completed drug price negotiations. Ceprotin passed the NHIS’s Drug Reimbursement Evaluation Committee in June and began negotiating with the NHIS in July, which is the final step to a drug’s reimbursement in Korea. The drug was first approved in Korea in 2022 for the treatment of severe congenital protein C deficiency. Congenital protein C deficiency is a rare genetic condition that causes a fatal defect in the regulation of blood clotting due to a lack of protein C. It affects 1 in 4 million newborns. As the only treatment available, patients have been longing for its reimbursement, but the opportunity has passed this time. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Takeda will reattempt its reimbursement in the future. Meanwhile, reimbursement for Takeda's Zejula Cap, which passed DREC review along with Ceprotin, will be expanded in October with the finalization of negotiations. Zejula is currently reimbursed for patients with BRCA mutations as maintenance therapy in the first- to second-line treatment of platinum-sensitive advanced ovarian cancer who have responded to platinum-based chemotherapy. In October, the reimbursement standards will change from ‘patients with BRCA mutations’ to ‘patients who are Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) positive.’
- Company
- Cancer mRNA vaccine shows potential in brain tumor
- by Son, Hyung Min Sep 24, 2024 05:46am
- Therapeutic cancer vaccines have been showing promise in central nervous system diseases. CureVac recently confirmed the safety of its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine, CVGBM, in glioblastoma in a Phase I clinical trial. Immunomic Therapeutics and IM Biologics have also taken up the challenge of developing cancer vaccines for brain tumors. Cancer vaccines are therapeutic vaccines that treat cancer by administering cancer cell antigens to patients and activating the immune system rather than prevention vaccines. Like conventional vaccines, cancer vaccines also work with the same mechanism of action, activating the body’s immune response and inducing immunogenic cell death. Major pharmaceutical and biotech companies are focusing on maximizing the treatment effect rather than prevention, and are using strategies to increase their vaccine’s commercialization potential by combining its use with anticancer drugs. Cancer vaccines with various mechanisms of action are being developed...targets brain tumors According to industry sources on the 23rd, Germany's CureVac recently unveiled the first-in-human trial results of its mRNA cancer vaccine candidate 'CVGBM' in treating glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is a type of glioma, a malignant tumor that occurs primarily in the brain. Glioblastoma has a poor prognosis, with a 5-year survival rate of a mere 5% despite surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The average survival time is only about one year. CureVac’s CVGBM is an investigational therapeutic mRNA-based vaccine encoding 8 epitopes derived from tumor-associated antigens with potential relevance in glioblastoma. An mRNA cancer vaccine constructs abnormal proteins (neoantigens) produced by cancer cells. The body's immune cells then produce antibodies to respond to them, which then kills cancer cells. CureVac is currently conducting a Phase I trial in MGMT-unmethylated glioblastoma, which is known to have a poor prognosis. As of February 29, 2024, 16 patients with glioblastoma have been enrolled in the trial. The primary endpoints were safety, tolerability, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) in CVGBM. Immunogenicity was included as an exploratory endpoint. Clinical results showed that the most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were chills (13 patients), fever (12 patients), headache (12 patients), and fatigue (11 patients). Most patients experienced mild-to-moderate symptoms. “CVGBM was generally well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile,” the researchers concluded. ”Based on all available safety data, the dose selected for clinical expansion was 100 μg. Patients did not reach the maximum tolerated dose.” CureVac is continuing to monitor clinical progress and plans to present the first immunogenicity data once results are confirmed. Meanwhile, a U.S. company, Immunomic Therapeutics has completed a Phase II clinical trial of its glioblastoma cancer vaccine, ITI-1000. ITI-1000 is a cancer vaccine based on Immunomic's cell therapy vaccine platform (UNITE) that activates “dendritic cells,” the immune system's watchdogs, to kill tumors. ITI-1000 activates dendritic cells to recognize the ‘pp65′ protein of cytomegalovirus, which is present in glioblastoma and alerts other key immune cells when a pathogen invades the body. Currently, Immunomic has completed its Phase II clinical trial and is in the process of analyzing the data. Published clinical results to date have shown that ITI-1000’s median overall survival (OS) is over 30 months. Companies in Korea are also developing cancer vaccines targeting brain tumors. IM Biologics' glioblastoma cancer vaccine candidate 'IMB-402' was selected as a new project of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's ‘Material Parts Technology Development Project.’ IMB-402 is a cancer vaccine candidate that selectively proliferates and activates glioblastoma (GBM)-specific T cells by applying an ampeptide-HLA complex to ePENDY, an IgM antibody-based multimer platform. IM Biologics designed IMB-402 with additional co-stimulatory factors to prevent activated T cells from falling into a lethargic state. IMB-402 is currently in the candidate optimization phase, and the company plans to secure the candidate and conduct non-clinical studies through this project.
- Company
- 'Keytruda' attempts at reimbursement for TNBC
- by Whang, byung-woo Sep 24, 2024 05:46am
- The industry watches whether Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which demonstrated treatment benefits in early triple-negative breast cancer, will pass the reimbursement hurdle. As the Cancer Disease Review Committee (CDRC) of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) convenes in October, whether Keytruda will set a ground to expand 17 indications will be watched. Product photo of KeytrudaAccording to the pharmaceutical industry, the HIRA will convene the 7th Cancer Disease Review Committee (CDRC) meeting on October 2nd. Currently, Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Jemperli (dostarlimab) are applying for reimbursement expansion. The review of Keytruda, which has applied for reimbursement of 17 indications, is garnering attention. In April, the CDRC review postponed setting the criteria for Keytruda, saying, 'We will reconsider setting the reimbursement criteria when the company submits a supplement for financial contribution.' While many indications seek reimbursement listing, tiple-negative breast cancer outcome is gaining attention. MSD presented the KEYNOTE-522 study, which confirmed the overall survival (OS) data for Keytruda in high-risk early triple-negative breast cancer, during the recent European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024. The KEYNOTE-522 study is a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Keytruda in combination with cancer chemotherapy as a perioperative adjuvant therapy. During the median 75.1 months follow-up, Keytruda perioperative adjuvant therapy in patients with high-risk early triple-negative breast cancer significantly improved the OS compared to the placebo group. Sohn, Joo Hyuk, Professor of the Division of Oncology at Yonsei Cancer Hospital, said, "In early cancer treatment aiming for complete recovery, it is not easy to demonstrate improvement in the OS rate. Improving the OS rate is a meaningful result in that it indicates saving lives of patients with early triple-negative breast cancer." The experts suggest that since the study results demonstrate clinical data to be considered for reimbursement evaluation, it may be sufficient to prove its effectiveness. Park Yeon Hee, Professor of the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Samsung Medical Center, said, "With data demonstrating improvement in OS rate, it must be considered for reimbursement review," adding, "Because patients with triple-negative breast cancer are young and economically active, the drug's societal value must be considered as well." Park added, "For patients, a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis may have felt like a disaster. Keytruda offers hope to these patients. It is meaningful that early intervention may eliminate the need for follow-up treatment." The problem will likely be the cost. Because the CDRC review in April stated, 'We will reconsider setting the reimbursement criteria when the company submits a supplement for a financial contribution,' the company may need to make more financial contribution. However, the experts suggest that reimbursement for the drug may be possible for use in combination with perioperative chemotherapy, where the volume of use at 8 cycles is predictable, when considering its impact on the National Insurance finance. As the company applies for reimbursement of Keytruda's 17 indications, approval outcome by individual indication is not easily determined. Whether Keytruda's triple-negative breast cancer indication will pass the reimbursement hurdle is not clear. An industry personnel said, "Keytruda's reimbursement application, including the individual indication with few patients, has drawn attention, but the company is discussing other strategies after not passing the CDRC review," adding, "The company will likely think over the strategy after the upcoming CDRC review now that it has more indications than the initial 13."
- Company
- Samsung Bioepis’ Opuviz recommended for approval in Europe
- by Whang, byung-woo Sep 24, 2024 05:46am
- Pic of Samsung Bioepis office building Samsung Bioepis announced on the 23rd that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has adopted a positive opinion for the company’s Eylea biosimilar ‘Opuviz (aflibercept).’ The EMA CHMP’s positive opinion plays a crucial role in the marketing authorization review process by the European Commission (EC), whose results typically follow 2-3 months after receipt of the positive opinion. Eylea, Opuviz’s original version, is a treatment for eye diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration developed by the U.S. company Regeneron. The drug binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibits neovascularization. It has annual global sales of approximately KRW 12 trillion. Macular degeneration is a disease that impairs vision due to aging and inflammation of the macula, the nerve tissue located in the center of the retina. The condition can cause blindness in severe cases and requires continuous treatment to slow the progression. Samsung Bioepis has launched a total of 8 biosimilar products in the European market. If approved, Opuviz is expected to expand the company’s portfolio of ophthalmology treatments in the European market, following the company’s existing eye disease treatment, Byooviz (Lucentis biosimilar, ranibizumab). “We are pleased to have our second ophthalmology biosimilar Opuviz recommended for approval in Europe,” said Byoungin Jung, Vice President and Regulatory Affairs Team Leader at Samsung Bioepis. “We will continue our efforts to provide patients with more treatment options by continuing to advance our broad pipeline.” Meanwhile, Samsung Bioepis obtained approval for Opuviz in the U.S. in May and has been selling it in Korea under the brand name Afilivusince May through its partner, Samil Pharmaceutical.
- Policy
- Pharmbio releases first generic Revolade with reimb in OCT
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Sep 24, 2024 05:46am
- The first generic version of the immune thrombocytopenia treatment ‘Revolade (eltrombopag olamine)’ will be released into the market in October. Pharmbio Korea’s Revolade generic has succeeded in receiving reimbursement listing 1 year after its approval in Korea. The company had been delaying its launch due to the burden of patent infringement, but its recent success in avoiding the patent prompted it to launch the product in full force. According to industry sources on the 23rd, Pharmbio Korea’s Elpag Tab. 25 mg and 50 mg will be listed for reimbursement from October 1st. The items were approved in March last year. As a rare disease drug used for thrombopenia, Elpag Tab is a generic version of Novartis’s Revolade. Although Revolade's product patent has expired, 3 composition patents are listed on MFDS’s green list, making it difficult for latecomer generics to enter the market. Pharmbio Korea and SK Plasma sought to evade Revolade ‘s substance patent by filing for a passive trial to confirm the scope of the patent. The Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board ruled in favor of the generic companies’ claims in the first half of this year, clearing the patent hurdle. However, the patent dispute is not completely resolved as Novartis immediately filed a following suit to cancel the decision. In this situation, Pharmbio has decided to preemptively launch its product through reimbursement listing. Revolade treats immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a type of bleeding disorder, by stimulating platelet production. ITP is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the body’s platelets as foreign and attacks them. According to IQVIA, Revolade’s domestic sales amounted to KRW 9 billion last year. Pharmbio is challenging the original drug with a lower price. It has applied for a drug price lower than the calculated price, setting the price at KRW 22,849 for Elpag Tab 25 mg and KRW 44,405 for Elpag Tab 50 mg. This is 30% lower than the price of the original Revolade 25mg, which is priced at KRW 32,641, and Revolade 50mg at KRW 63,435. In the case of orphan drugs, the price is set at the same level as previously listed drugs. Pharmbio seems to have adopted a strategy to increase its market share through a relatively low price.
- Company
- Will Wegovy launch in KOR continue the Saxenda syndrome?
- by Moon, sung-ho Sep 24, 2024 05:46am
- 'Wegovy,' an obesity drug that is hugely popular but in shortages worldwide, will land in South Korea in mid-October. It will become domestically available a year and a half after receiving approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). It marks the ninth release worldwide, following Japan and China. The Wegovy effect has garnered attention from university hospitals and private clinical practices in light of the news. The industry is watching whether the Wegovy sales will match those of the obesity drug 'syndrome' in the mid-2010s when Saxenda (liraglutide) was released in South Korea. Product photo of Wegovy.According to the pharmaceutical industry on September 23rd, Novo Nordisk Korea announced the launch of the obesity drug 'Wegovy Prefilled Pen (semaglutide)' in mid-October in South Korea. This detailed announcement of the product launch date may be due to increasing interest in the domestic introduction of the global obesity drugs, such as Wegovy. Wegovy is an obesity drug and a once-weekly injectable prescription drug. In early April 2023, the MFDS approved the use of Wegovy as a weight-loss and weight-management aid to obese patients who have a Body Mass Index (hereafter referred to as BMI) of 30kg/m2 or higher or those who are overweight with early BMI of 27kg/m2 or higher and below 30kg/m2 and having one or more weight-related accompanying diseases. Furthermore, Wegovy's expanded indication was approved for use in reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events (cardiovascular diseases-related deaths, non-critical myocardial infarction or non-critical stroke) in patients who have confirmed cardiovascular diseases and are overweight, or obese with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher at an early stage. As South Korea has been set as the 10th country worldwide to have Wegovy launched, physicians have both hopes and concerns. The vast opinion is that Wegovy will gather more interest than Saxenda which may cause a 'syndrome.' The concern is that when the stock is supplied in a limited quantity, patients may attempt various illegal transactions to obtain the drug. Because it is being launched domestically to clinical practices as a non-reimbursable drug, Wegovy is expected to be primarily used by patients who want it for health management and beauty instead of those with clinical needs, such as overweight patients. Sung-Rae Kim, Chairman of Korean Society for the Study of Obestiy (KSSO) and Professor of the Catholic University of Korea Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital (Endocrinology), said, "It is great news that Wegovy will be launched in South Korea, world's 10th country. However, I am concerned whether it will be used properly because of the non-reimbursable status," adding, "For Ozempic, a diabetes drug containing the same active ingredient, it did not pass the hurdle of the reimbursement listing process after the domestic launch. Since new drugs cannot be introduced with reimbursement due to the current Korean drug pricing system, we need to think over this issue." Kim said, "When I reviewed the Korean obesity statistics, the obesity rate is higher in individuals who have socioeconomic difficulties. As the drug will not be covered by insurance, I am concerned whether it will be properly used for obesity treatment," and explained, "In my opinion, I hope that a specific stock will be utilized for treating patients with obesity, covered by insurance coverage." In the past few years, by Saxenda and Qsymia have dominated the Korean obesity market. This division is expected to disappear when Wegovy enters sales. In the meantime, private clinical practices are sharing opinions about Wegovy's expected non-reimbursement price after its launch. Although Novo Nordisk has yet to announce the price, clinical practices are hopeful that it will be the 'lowest price' worldwide as a non-reimbursable drug. In reference, Wegovy is sold in the United States for US$1,350 (around KRW 1.8 million) per month. This is about KRW 21.6 million for a year-long treatment. For Japan, the monthly treatment costs are set about KRW 400,000 with insurance coverage. Private clinical practices expect the price of Wegovy in South Korea to be the lowest in the world for a non-reimbursable drug, except for Japan's cases with insurance coverage. The clinical field suggests this is likely due to Mounjaro (tirzepatide, Lily Korea). Wegovy seems to be attempting to dominate the market by entering the domestic clinical field ahead of Mounjaro, which does not have a set launch date. Cost-wise, Mounjaro is sold at a cheaper price than Wegovy in the global market. Consequently, Wegovy might launch in South Korea before Mounjaro. A family medicine physician who remained anonymous said, "Wegovy in Japan appears to be the world's lowest price. However, it is covered by insurance. As a non-reimbursable drug, Wegovy is expected to launch in Korea at the lowest price," adding, "Novo Nordisk may be contemplating on a reasonable non-reimbursable price. Although the price has yet been set, the company may be considering Mounjaro's domestic launch." "A yearly treatment for Mounjaro is about KRW 3 million cheaper than Wegovy when converted, and the vial formulation is 50% lower in drug price," and analyzed, "Considering many points, the company is likely planning to enter the Korean market with Wegovy before Mounjaro." Korean clinical field expects that Wegovy will result in the new obesity drug syndrome, surpassing that of Saxenda, and cause major shifts in the industry, such as bringing changes to the medical system and healthcare. Doctor Chul-Jin Lee, President of DAOR, said, "Since patients are already familiar with obesity drugs because of Saxenda, so setting the right drug price will generate immediate interest, surpassing the syndrome," and explained, "Taking the Korean market into account, Wegovy is just the beginning. Other drugs with various formulations and Mounjaro will follow." Lee added, "Divisions in the Korean medical system are not divided, but diseases connect all divisions. There could be an increase in patients with digestive trouble when Wegovy launches in Korea," adding, "In the United States, the healthcare supplement industry has changed, with supplements becoming more available in pharmacies following the Wegovy launch. Similarly, the Korean medical system and related industry will likely undergo change."
