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- 2026-04-16 01:49:56
- Policy
- Why Daewoong Bio tests Gliatirin as a comparator
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Nov 24, 2020 09:03am
- Gliatamin (Daewoong Bio), the No. 1 sales item in the brain function improvement drug Choline alfoscerate, which is drawing attention as a re-evaluation issue, was newly approved for a bioequivalence test. This bioequivalence test, which is conducted on products with improved formulations, is attracting more attention due to the recent reevaluation and the case of a dispute over Chong Kun Dang's comparator in the past. The MFDS approved Daewoong Bio's bioequivalence test protocol for Gliatamin on the 18th. This bioequivalence test is a test for healthy adults to evaluate the bioequivalence of Gliatamin and Chongkundang Gliatirin. This bioequivalence test is interpreted as a procedure for Daewoong Bio to improve Gliatamin and obtain a permit. Gliatamin is an item directly manufactured by Daewoong Bio and is already on the list of approved bioequivalence tests. This is not a recent bioequivalence test for drug price maintenance. However, the reason why the approval of this bioequivalence test has received attention is that Choline alfoscerate has recently been attracting attention through reevaluation. In the first half of this year, benefits were re-evaluated only for use of dementia patients, and manufacturers/sellers and the MOHW are currently in lawsuits over the measures. In addition, the clinical re-evaluation has been decided and the clinical plan must be submitted by the 23rd of next month. Gliatamine is the product with the highest sales among Choline alfoscerate formulations. With a cumulative sales of ₩73.8 billion in the last three quarters based on UBIST, Chongkundang Gliatirin (₩63 billion billion) was beaten by about ₩10 billion, and ranked first. Because of the large sales of Gliatamine, which accounts for Daewoong Bio, the company is focusing very much on this re-evaluation. It is also a hot topic that Daewoong has been approved for a bioequivalence test using Chongkundang Gliatirin, which was not previously recognized as a comparator. Chongkundang Gliatirin is a product introduced by Italian pharmaceutical company Italfarmaco. In 2016, a domestic copyright company changed from Daewoong to Chong Kun Dang. At the time, Daewoong also conducted an administrative lawsuit with the MFDS, taking into question Chongkundang Gliatirin's qualification as a Comparator. Daewoong insisted that Gliatamin, the first-selling product, is a comparator. However, as Chongkundang Gliatirin was recognized as a comparator, the controversy ended. The bioequivalence test is drawing attention from the industry as Gliatamin uses Chongkundang Gliatirin as the first comparator. In the past, the two companies were hostile due to copyright issues, but recently, Choline alfoscerate's reevaluation has led to a crisis, showing that they are working together. It is known that the clinical reevaluation will also be conducted as a team.
- Company
- Takeda rejoins KRPIA after 5 years
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Nov 24, 2020 09:02am
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals Korea is returning to Korean Research-based Pharmaceutical Industry Association (KRPIA). The pharmaceutical industry sources recently reported Takeda has officially joined KRPIA as a member company. The company is gaining back its member company status as well. The KRPIA membership was inherited from Shire Pharmaceutical that Takeda has completed acquiring in July. Since its launch in 2016, Shire has been an active member of KRPIA. After opening the South Korean branch in 2011, Takeda started off as a member of Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA) and also joined KRPIA in 2013, when former President of GSK Korea President Kim Jin-ho was a chair of KRPIA. However, the company left KRPIA in 2015 and only sustained the membership at KPBMA. Takeda’s decision to rejoin KRPIA seems to have been influenced by its new drug pipelines. The company has launched an autoimmune disease treatment Kynteles (vedolizumab), a multiple myeloma treatment Ninlaro (ixazomib) and anticancer treatment Zejula (niraparib) from last year, and it has a series of other new drugs in preparation to launch. As new drug healthcare reimbursement is a controversial issue in South Korea and KRPIA is focusing on government affairs at the moment, the company could have taken a strategic action accordingly. KRPIA has various multinational pharmaceutical companies as member companies. Including a number of Japan-based companies, such as Takeda, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Santen Pharmaceutical, Astellas, Kowa, Kyowa Kirin, the list of member companies also has Galderma, Sandoz, Fresenius Kabi, Fresenius Medical Care and Baxter.
- Company
- An employee at drug company earns average KRW 41M
- by Chon, Seung-Hyun Nov 24, 2020 09:02am
- Apparently, the government statics say the average annual salary of the South Korean pharmaceutical industry is 41.4 million won. It was just shy of the general industry average. Depending on the pharmaceutical companies, some had average salary gap over 10 million among their employees. A university undergraduate’s average salary started from 34.77 million won, which is 11 million won more than the high school graduates. On Nov. 19, Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) disclosed the wage by industry as of June 2020 through the wage and job information system. For the second time, MOEL has presented the analysis of wage based on the employment due diligence as of June this year by job types from 2017 through 2019. Average salary in pharmaceutical companies by employment size (Unit: KRW) Source: MOEL According to the statistics, the jobs in the medical substance and pharmaceutical manufacturing industry make annually average salary of 41.4 million won. Basically, the pharmaceutical industry’s average annual salary is 1.88 million won less than the general industry’s average of 43.28 million won. However, the annual salary at pharmaceutical companies varied widely depending on the size. The employees at pharmaceutical companies with over 300 employees are making average annual salary of 48.14 million won, which is 11 million won more than employees at companies with five to 29 employees (36.79 million won). Employees at companies with 30 to 99 employees and with 100 to 299 employees are making 38.29 million won and 44.73 million won, respectively. Also the average annual salary varied depending on the education level of the employees. The average salary of employees with undergraduate degree is 47.85 million won, making 14.42 million won more than the high school graduate employees with 33.43 million won. Average salary in pharmaceutical companies for an entry level employee with less than a year employment size (Unit: KRW) Source: MOEL An entry level employee with less than a year of employment is making average of 30.45 million won a year. Specifically, the employees at pharmaceutical companies with over 300 employees are earning 36.57 million won a year, or 5.19 million won more than employees at companies with five to 29 employees (25.36 million won). An entry level employee with an undergraduate degree is earning 34.77 million won per year, whereas ones with two-year college degree or high school diploma are earning 29.72 million won and 23.42 million won, respectively. Average salary in pharmaceutical companies for an entry level employee with less than a year employment size (Unit: KRW) Source: MOEL The statistics on average salary by employment years in pharmaceutical companies found employees, who have worked over 25 years, are earning average of 64.43 million won. By third to fifth year, the salary exceeds 40 million won, and it exceeds 55.29 million won by 15th to 20th year. A male employee (45.72 million won) is making average 10 million won more than a female employee (34.17 million won) in the entire pharmaceutical industry. The salary gap seems to be big as the male employees tend to be employed longer compared to female employees.
- Company
- Daewoong succeeded in evading patent for Belkyra
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Nov 24, 2020 09:01am
- Belkyra Daewoong once again succeeded in patent evasion of 'Belkyra (Deoxycholic acid)', an injection for improving submandibular fat. The original company, Allergan, tried to defend itself through 'divisional application' but failed. According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 23rd, the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board recently decided on ‘an establishment claim’ in a trial to confirm the scope of passive rights filed by Daewoong in formulation patent of Belkyra. As a result, Daewoong successfully avoided two of the three Belkyra patents. Previously, Daewoong successfully avoided Belkyra's formulation patent in June. This patent evasion is an additional patent registered by Allergan earlier this year. Daewoong's patent challenge for Belkyra began in January 2018. Daewoong has filed a trial to confirm the scope of the right to the patent of Belkyra. In June, The Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board filed a trial decision on an establishment claim, and Allergan abandoned the appeal, and Daewoong won on July 23rd. However, Daewoong had more things to overcome. In January and April this year, when Daewoong and Allergan's workshops were in full swing, Allergan registered two new patents of Belkyra. Allergan registered only some of the existing patents. It was part of the 'Evergreening strategy' that continues its duration through divisional applications. In the end, Daewoong had to challenge the two divisional applications. In March of this year, Daewoong filed a trial for a passive confirmation of the scope of rights to the newly registered Belkyra’s formulation patent. With this ruling, Daewoong successfully evaded two of the three Belkyra patents. There is still one patent left, but it is said that the pharmaceutical industry will avoid it. If Daewoong overcomes the remaining patent, it currently being developed will be released early. Daewoong Pharmaceutical is currently developing its own injection to improve submandibular fat under the name'DWJ211'. Since March of last year, it has entered phase III clinical trials for 150 patients at Konkuk University Hospital and Chung-Ang University Hospital. The indication is'improvement of moderate/severe submandibular fat', which is the same as Belkyra. When the development is completed, there is a possibility of being sued for patent infringement from Allergan. At this time, the trial decision is expected to be appropriately used for defense purposes. Belkyra is the only drug that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve submandibular fat. There are indications for moderate/severe protrusion or excessive improvement of submandibular fat in adults. It was released in Korea in early 2018.
- Opinion
- [Reporter's View]Drugs fluctuating prices should be excluded
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Nov 24, 2020 09:01am
- The lawsuit for canceling eye drops’ price ended with the Supreme Court's ruling. Recently, the Supreme Court did not accept the appeal of 20 pharmaceutical companies, including Kookje, filed against the government to cancel a lawsuit for canceling the disposition of lowering the upper limit on the reimbursement of eye drops. After the defeat of the Supreme Court by eight pharmaceutical companies including Daewoo in September, the government won all of the remaining trials. The lawsuit for lowering the drug price for eye drops was conducted by pharmaceutical companies who opposed the enforcement of the government's notice in August 2018. It started with a trial divided into Kookje and Daewoo. It took place over only two years. The problem is that drug price cuts and recovery were repeatedly performed in this process. About 12,000 pharmacies were subject to confirmation in the '2020 Secondary Medical Institution Purchased Drug Price Periodic Check' in August, which corresponds to the '4th quarter of 2018', when the actual eye drop drug price cut and the drug purchase drug price and billing unit analysis time were combined. The HIRA compares the billed unit price with the weighted average of the purchase price of eye drops during the drug price cut period, resulting in inconsistent claims in the majority of pharmacies handling eye drops. Regular confirmation of the price of purchased drugs at pharmacies resumed from May 2018. The reason for the resumption of regular confirmation was that the discrepancy between the purchase price and the billed unit price continued to increase, but the pharmacy suffered damage from the government's drug price cut and the drug company's lawsuit. Of course, if the pharmacy updates the billing software every day and constantly checks the drug price file, it can avoid false claims, but it can be an administrative burden for pharmacists who operate single pharmacies. Therefore, in the case of items such as eye drops, which have a wide range of insurance drug prices due to administrative lawsuits between the government and pharmaceutical companies, there seems to be a need to exclude them from the regular confirmation of the purchased drug price or subject to field investigation. However, if the HIRA establishes 'advance drug price verification system', the pharmacy should also actively make an effort such as checking the weighted average price at the same time as billing.
- Policy
- The Health and Welfare Committee, postponed to 26th
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Nov 24, 2020 09:01am
- The Health and Welfare Committee of the National Assembly suffered a lapse of resolution of the budget for 2021 by the relevant government ministries on the afternoon of the 19th, and the subcommittee for legal review, which had been operating from this morning, also decided to suspend it without reopening. Ki-yoon Kang, a member of People Power Party, who served as chairman of subcommittee of the Health and Welfare Committee, decided to resume the bill review schedule at 9:30 am on the 26th. As planned, the subcommittee should have completed the review of a total of 35 major health bills, including the Medical Act, Pharmacist Act, and the Public Health Crisis Response Medical Products Special Act. As the review schedule of the subcommittee on legislation was postponed, only 8 of the 35 bills under jurisdiction were reviewed. The 27 bills that suddenly lost their chances of judging included a number of bold agendas. Four cases of special laws for medical products responding to new infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and public health crisis (Dong-min Ki, Han Jeong-ae, Paik Jong-heon, and Lee Jong-seong) are representative. The bill was scheduled to be admitted to the Health and Welfare Committee's legal review board for the first time on this day. The goal of the legislation is to prove safety and promote the approval of drugs that show breakthrough efficacy. The amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (Young-Seok Seo) of the generic joint biological equivalence test 1+3 regulation is also a major bill that will bring considerable transformation to the pharmaceutical industry. Two amendments to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (Choi Hye-young and Kim Ye-ji) that require braille marking on safety-prepared drugs, and a revised bill of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to reinforce impurity regulations by making it mandatory to specify imported raw material drugs such as NDMA, which are suspected of carcinogenicity, Reinforcement of regulations on biopharmaceuticals with false approvals such as Invossa·Medytox, etc. The revised bill of the Pharmacist Act (Clinician Bill of Kang Byungwon ) was disrupted by the suspension of the subcommittee on the bill. In addition, six amendments to the Medical Law (Kim Won-i, Kwon Chil-Seung, Kang Byungwon, Park Ju-min, Kang Seon-woo) and the medical institution's operating room CCTV installation revised medical law reinforced regulations such as sexual and violent crimes, etc. Two cases (Kim Nam-guk and Ahn Kyu-baek's bill) were also postponed. In particular, in a five-minute free speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly immediately after the decision to suspend or postpone the Act Subcommittee's emergency suspension, the Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally overturned the resolution of the Subcommittee for Budget Cuts in Public Medical Schools, and poured out criticism against the ruling party. It is speculated that the schedule of the 1st bill, which had been judged for marathon of 35 bills, was suspended or postponed. Kang said, "The ruling party's overturning the result of the budget cuts for public medical schools is to ignore the rule of law and to unilaterally break the agreement between the people and the pledge." He criticized, "Abandoning justice and breaking public promises causes problems in the qualifications of members of the National Assembly. Look back on the meaning of the rule of law and be self-reliant."
- Policy
- "Let's develop new drugs with sales of ₩1 trillion"
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Nov 24, 2020 09:00am
- President Moon Jae-in announced that by 2025, the government will cultivate 47,000 human resources in the bio industry and increase the bio R&D budget to ₩1.7 trillion, an additional ₩400 billion from this year. In particular, he expressed his ambition to actively help the development of new blockbuster drugs with annual sales of ₩1 trillion by providing funding through the national budget and mega funds. On the 18th, President Moon attended the 'Korea Bio Industry' event held at Yonsei University's Global Campus in Songdo, Incheon and made such a speech. President Moon declared that the Republic of Korea will not only become a biopharmaceutical production base, but also a hyperpower of the bio industry. In particular, President Moon directly mentioned Samsung Biologics and Celltrion, appealing for the possibility of developing domestic biopharmaceutical production and development capabilities. President Moon said, " Samsung Biologics held a groundbreaking ceremony for a biopharmaceutical production plant investing ₩1.7 trillion, and Celltrion is holding a groundbreaking ceremony for a multi-species production plant and research center investing ₩500 billion." It will leap to No. 1 in production, and Celltrion will also be reborn as a global bioinnovative drug development company." President Moon said, "Our country's biopharmaceutical production capacity will expand 1.5 times from 600,000 liters to 91 million liters per year, and Korea will further solidify its position as a global production base." He said that Songdo will have the world's No. 1 production capacity by city standards, and we appreciate the big investment of the two companies with Incheon citizens. President Moon also expressed his ambition that the competitiveness of the bio industry is determined by 'people and ideas', and that he will not spare national support for this. Specifically, he said that he would significantly cultivate human resources in the bio industry and increase the bio R&D budget by ₩400 billion compared to this year. He also promised to actively support the development of new blockbuster drugs by utilizing mega funds, and to build a bio ecosystem that leads to advancement into the global market through basic bio research conducted in universities and research institutes. President Moon said, "By 2025, we will cultivate 47,000 human resources in the bio industry together with the private sector. We will actively nurture not only experts in fields such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare, but also human resources using data and artificial intelligence. The R&D budget is also planned to expand from ₩1.3 trillion to ₩1.7 trillion next year. We will also actively help develop new blockbuster drugs that will generate annual sales of over ₩1 trillion." President Moon said, "We will make new ideas bloom not only in the lab, but to achieve concrete projects. Basic research conducted in universities and research institutes will become a business by meeting ventures and small and medium-sized companies, and meeting large companies to lead to clinical trials and global advancement." “We will foster regional clusters such as Songdo, Wonju, Osong, and Daegu as a bridgehead for innovation and win-win growth,” he said. “Korea is breaking the myth that it is difficult for an emerging country to become a bio hyperpower,” he said. “It was expected to be the field to be hit the most during the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He also said, "We are writing a new history of the industry. The dream of Korea to become a hyperpower in the bio industry will surely come true."
- Company
- Will Sanofi's CHC division become an opportunity for growth?
- by Nov 24, 2020 09:00am
- Sanofi began to gain attention afterward as Sanofi started to incorporate the independent consumer healthcare (CHC) division. Sanofi declared that the CHC division became an independent corporation from last year. CEO Paul Hudson, who took office in September last year, mentioned CHC's strategy for an independent corporation in December of that year. Several speculations have been made overseas regarding the establishment of an independent CHC corporation. At the time, foreign analysts speculated that Sanofi could take options such as IPO, sale, or joint venture after establishing an independent corporation. Since the declaration of an independent corporation last year, Sanofi has not come up with a specific CHC strategy, but it seems that each country is preparing a plan for establishing a corporation and operating an organization according to a large strategy at the global level. The hopeful retirement (ERP) recently conducted by the Korean branch for employees in the CHC department is also predicted as part of this big picture. Sanofi-Aventis Korea announced the establishment of an independent CHC corporation on the 13th with the goal of September 2021. After the completion of the ERP, the company plans to go through the process of establishing a corporation. However, Sanofi dismissed the possibility of selling, stressing that even if an independent CHC corporation is established, it will go together within the group rather than sell it. Sanofi CHC division sales trend Compared to the specialty care division, which generates high sales with new drugs such as Dupixent, the CHC division has a growth rate of €1.1 billion (about ₩1.4 trillion), which is almost stagnant. In particular, in December of last year, it was also hit by the problem of collecting remaining balances. In the first quarter of 2020, it made up for the loss by raising sales of €1.3 billion (about ₩1.7 trillion), but it decreased to the level of €1 billion (about ₩1.3 trillion) due to the COVID-19 incident. At the same time, there is also the possibility of the CHC department. In particular, it is worth looking forward to growth in emerging markets. As of last year, sales in developed countries were on a decline, while in emerging markets, sales were insignificant but increased. Scale down seems inevitable. This is because management has repeatedly expressed a willingness to convert OTC sales methods to digital. In a conference call on the 30th of last month, CHC Vice President Julie Van Ongevalle mentioned maximizing digital channels and said, "I believe the CHC division has potential in digital channels." In addition, in Korea, it is expected to be operated on a smaller scale by switching to outsourced sales rather than direct sales. Sanofi said, "Not all businesses, but OTC business will be sold to third parties." In this process, conflict with the union is also expected. The Sanofi union is concerned about the coercive reduction of the size of OTC personnel in the CHC division that the company targets. In this context, it is also in this context that the company is asked for an alternative manpower changeover arrangement in case the applicants for retirement are short of the target number.
- Policy
- α-GPC's clinical re-evaluation will proceed in 3 groups
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Nov 20, 2020 06:15am
- #While Korea United Pharm has visualized a separate clinical trial to verify the effect of 'mild cognitive impairment', Daewoong and Chong Kun Dang, which are ranked first and second in market sales, are expected to conduct clinical trials for all indications. The three companies plan to hold briefing sessions for related companies next week as soon as possible. According to the industry on the 19th, clinical reevaluation of Choline alfoscerate is likely to be conducted in three groups. First, the Korea United Pharm group, which targets only mild cognitive impairment, and Daewoong and Chong Kun Dang, are expected to conduct clinical trials in two groups for all indications. Korea United Pharm is a separate group targeting only one indication, and Daewoong and Chong Kun Dang are a joint group to maintain all indications. However, since there are many indications, there is a high possibility that Daewoong and Chong Kun Dang will conduct clinical trials separately. Which group to proceed with depends on the choices of the others. Indications for Choline alfoscerate are ▲secondary symptoms due to cerebrovascular defects and degenerative or degenerative cerebral temperamental syndrome (deterioration of memory and confusion, disorientation due to decreased motivation and spontaneity, decreased motivation and spontaneity, decreased concentration), ▲ emotion and behavioral change (emotional anxiety, irritability to irritation, indifference to surroundings) and ▲senile pseudodepression. The key is the efficacy of indication 1 for dementia and mild cognitive impairment. It is known that Daewoong and Chong Kun Dang are planning to proceed with both clinical trials for dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Then, there is a high possibility that one pharmaceutical company will conduct clinical trials for dementia and another pharmaceutical company for indications related to mild cognitive impairment. In addition, it seems that clinical trials for the second and third indications can be conducted simultaneously. Dementia was included in the primary efficacy endpoint, and senile depression was included in the secondary variable. However, it is unclear whether the MFDS will approve the plan. Another possibility is to proceed with clinical trials with the efficacy specified in the , and in this case, how to set the efficacy evaluation variables is the key. Anyway, Daewoong Pharmaceutical and Chong Kun Dang are expected to cover all indications separately. In this case, the clinical group is expected to be divided into Korea United Pharmaceutical Group, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Group, and Chong Kun Dang Group. Each clinical trial is analyzed to cost ₩5 to 6 billion. Therefore, it is expected that the clinical trial will be conducted by sharing ₩200~300 million per company. A total of 134 companies are eligible for clinical reevaluation. Among them, some companies are expected to give up items. The industry is expecting a briefing session with clinical-led pharmaceutical companies to recruit co-clinical companies as soon as possible next week. A related company official said, "Because there is not much time left until the submission of the clinical trial plan, rapid recruitment of joint clinical companies is key." Depending on the clinical plan, there is a possibility of changes in the approval of the MFDS. If only participating in the clinical trial for mild cognitive impairment, it is expected that only mild cognitive impairment remains and the other indications will be deleted.
- Company
- "TNF blockers in rheumatoid arthritis is a symbol of trust"
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Nov 20, 2020 06:14am
- Professor Kim Geun-tae A tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitor was a game changer for the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment scene. An autoimmune disease RA, which causes break down in joints and bone tissues with abnormal immune reaction, has prevalence rate in female patients approximately 0.3 percent to 1 percent higher than male patients. According to South Korea’s Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), about 250,000 patients in South Korea are diagnosed with RA, annually. And biologic therapies were a breakthrough in the chronic RA treatment scene. The biologic therapy for RA, such as Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept) and Remicade (infliximab) blocking TNF-α and helping to stop inflammation, targets T-cell co-stimulation or B-cell prior to the inflammatory reaction stage. And recently, the treatment options for RA have expanded with orally taken Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors like Xeljanz (tofacitinib), Olumiant (baricitinib) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib). However, the healthcare providers’ trust in TNF-α inhibitors is sound. Kim Geun-tae, a professor at Kosin University Hospital Division of Rheumatology said, “The healthcare providers would always welcome a new selection of treatment options. There are new drugs with new mechanism of action that improves administration convenience. But to this day, I usually choose TNF-α inhibitors as a first-line therapy after prescribing methotrexate (MTX). Almost two decades of prescription experience is an asset you cannot ignore.” Professor Kim added, “It would depend on the patient’s condition, but I personally prefer Humira for the balance in safety and efficacy. Of course, other treatments are prescribed strategically as well. Depending on infection (tuberculosis and etc.), adverse reaction, and administration route, I also prescribe other TNF-α inhibitors like Enbrel and Remicade.” But there is inevitable fear of injection among patients. Especially, the user reactions on the pain from the injected TNF-α inhibitor are split. A study found the pain from Humira injection was the worst. Regarding the issue, Professor Kim explained, “Injection could be painful. The Humira brand is doing its best to improve the administration experience for the patients, such as releasing the citrate-free injection in 2017 to remove the pain-causing citrate. And now we have less patients complain about the pain thanks to the pharmaceutical companies’ efforts.” He also elaborated, “We even have to instruct the patients to not remove the syringe until all the content is injected as now they assume the injection is done before it is with the significantly improved level of pain from the new injection type.” The professor was rather concerned of the patients, who try to manage RA through bad folk remedy, instead of proper pharmaceutical therapy. “Some miss the appropriate treatment period, as they refuse to take the drug or explore for a cure in unverified folk remedy. The prognosis of RA heavily depends on the early detection and treatment. RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that requires a life-long management. To treat RA, taking anti-rheumatic drugs is crucial,” he added. Wrapping up the interview, Professor Kim stressed, “As for exercises, I would recommend stretching or yoga that increases range of motion. Although the patients should avoid strenuous exercises, working out two to four hours a week would improve disease activity and the disorder.”
