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- 2026-04-16 14:43:37
- Company
- Korean-made IMD Rosuzet and Zemimet prevail over COVID-19
- by An, Kyung-Jin Jul 17, 2020 05:55am
- Apparently a number of incrementally modified drugs (IMDs) developed with Korean-made technology excelled in the prescription drug market amid novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A dyslipidemia combination drug Rosuzet and an antidiabetic combination drug Zemiglo recorded two-digit growth and settled on the top chart in the prescription drug market. On the contrary, other off-patent drugs by multinational pharmaceutical companies seemed to have stagnated in the growth. According to pharmaceutical market research firm UBIST on July 17, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Korea’s Lipitor was prescribed the most in the first half of the year, making 94.1 billion won. Although the sales fell by 0.9 percent compared to 95 billion won in last year, Liptior made more than double the sales of Daewoong Bio’s Gliatamin. Lipitor product image Lipitor, indicated to treat dyslipidemia, is an atorvastatin Pfizer Pharmaceutical Korea has launched for the Korean market in 1999. When its patent was expired, over 130 generics flooded the market, but the dyslipidemia drug has never been ranked below second place in the prescription drug market. Daewoong Bio’s cognitive enhancer Gliatamin generated total 48 billion won in the first half of the year, and came second on the rank. Compared to last year same time with 46 billion won, the drug made 4.4 percent growth. Gliatamin is a choline alfoscerate generic. Another competitor Chongkundang Gliatirin has made 39.8 billion won with 6.9 percent growth from last year, but it could not narrow the gap of 8 billion won with Gliatamin. Rosuzet (left) and Zemimet product images Among the top products, Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Rosuzet had the highest yearly growth. Rosuzet generated 46.9 billion won in the first half of the year and leapt 24.4 percent from last year. Bascially, it was prescribed 8 billion won a month. Released in late 2015, Rosuzet is a combination drug (rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe) indicated for treatment of hyperlipidemia. Hanmi Pharmaceutical signed a deal with the ezetimibe patent owner MSD over the use of the drug, and entered the market first. The drug is dominating the same substance market among other competitors by far. The monthly Rosuzet prescription volume maintained over 10 percent growth compared to last year, regardless of the difficulties in sales and marketing caused by COVID-19. When the confirmed case of COVID-19 in Korea skyrocketed from February through March, the prescription volume growth broke through the 30-percent and 40-percent line. Continuing the current trend, the drug could generate over 100 billion won at the end of the year. Zemimet, an antidiabetic combination drug by LG Chem, also scored a high growth rate. In the first half of the year, Zemimet’s prescription surged by 18.5 percent from last year at 32 billion won to 37.9 billion won this year. LG Chem independently developed the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor by combining the novel antidiabetic treatment Zemiglo (gemigliptin) and metformin. With the co-promotion deal signed in 2016, Daewoong Pharmaceutical has been in charge of the drug’s sales. Atozet, MSD Korea’s combination drug for hyperlipidemia treatment, also demonstrated two-digit growth. The accumulated prescription volume in the first half of the year was increased by 17.5 percent from last year and generated 36.4 billion won. Atozet is a combination drug, consisting of atorvastatin and ezetimibe, which competes against Rosuzet. The drug is currently in a co-marketing deal with Chong Kun Dang since 2018. Top 20 outpatient prescription drug market in 2020 H1 (Unit: KRW 100 million) Source: UBIST Similarly to previous years, the outpatient prescription drug market in the first half of this year was vastly dominated by off-patent drugs. But their growths were underwhelming than previous years. Two hepatitis B treatments once led the prescription drug market plummeted down the rank together. Gilead Science Korea’s Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) made 43.1 billion won with a 27.3-percent plunge from last year at 59.2 billion won. This year’s prescription of BMS Pharmaceutical Korea’s hepatitis B treatment Baraclude (entecavir) marked 34.8 billion won, dipping 10.8 percent from 39 billion won last year. Eisai Korea’s cognitive enhancer Aricept (donepezil) and Astellas Pharma Korea’s benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) Harnal-D (tamsulosin) generated 8.0 percent and 8.2 percent less than last year, respectively. AstraZeneca’s anticancer treatment Tagrisso (osimertinib) placed itself on the top sixth spot by generating 44.7 billion won with 7.9 percent growth from last year. Tagrisso is a second-line treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, who developed tolerance after administering epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like Iressa (gefitinib), Tarceva (erlotinib) or Giotrif (afatinib). After it was listed for healthcare reimbursement in December 2017, the treatment’s prescription volume has been surging significantly. Despite the expensive treatment costing 120,000 won even for a reimbursed prescription, it is the only anticancer treatment ranked high in the outpatient prescription drug market, due to its convenience in oral administration.
- Policy
- Generic pricing negotiation from Sept to protect patients
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Jul 17, 2020 05:55am
- Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) plans to negotiate pricing on generics from September. On July 15, NHIS submitted briefing material for the National Assembly provisional session that elaborated the outcomes of the healthcare coverage enhancement (Moon Jae-in Care) and the government’s prospective plan to lower medical expense and reinforce safety net system. According to NHIS, its plan is to sign a National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursement contract with generic drugs listed without pricing negotiation to enforce quality management compliance for the protection of the patient safety. And with constant rise in treatment material expenditure, the government body would analyze expenditure increase by listing types, and manage the use volume based on reasonable pricing and adjustment. To lessen the medical expense burden of the people with the Moon Care, the government is also gradually expanding the coverage on eye, chest and breast ultrasound scan in the latter half of the year as the initially non-reimbursed female reproductive system ultrasound scan was covered from last February. Following are other plans NHIS has for the coverage enhancement initiative; publishing production cost manual to standardize production cost calculation and improving credibility by adding more panel institutes like a national university hospital to provide production cost information; inducing improvement in medical service use behavior by providing counseling and medical service use history of multiple healthcare institute users and general hospital users for mild condition; promoting adequate use of drugs in chronic disease patients taking multiple medications via counseling visitation. NHIS’ big data analysis center operating with 192 seats and 525 accounts at ten sites nationwide would be expanded to provide high-quality NHI big data for research purpose. Moreover, the government would provide support on developing customized health service model and healthcare policy. NHIS stated the non-contact operation format would get more prevalent within the agency amid the post-coronavirus, and infectious disease monitoring and notification system and infection control at long-term nursing hospitals would be established.
- Policy
- Domestic vaccine development for COVID-19 aims at 2021
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Jul 17, 2020 05:55am
- It is expected that the government will start a clinical trial of COVID-19 blood plasma therapy in early September and will be able to secure treatments throughout the year. Antibody therapies, except for blood plasma therapies, are scheduled to go through clinical trials, and the government expects that antibody therapies will be secured in Korea in the first half of next year. Although the government aims to complete vaccine development within 2021, it is difficult to determine the timing of development because of the many variables and the additional factors required for actual administration. Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said in a Q-and A session after a briefing on the current situation of COVID-19 in Korea. The Central Disease Control Headquarters explained that Forty-two serious ill patients are taking Remdesivir, an Ebola treatment, using a re-creation (repositioning) method related to COVID-19 treatment. In addition, he said that Plasma therapy is the first to be promoted as a therapeutic agent. He said that vaccine development is the key to COVID-19's response. The Central Disease Control Headquarters aims to mass-produce vaccines that have achieved safety and effectiveness within 2021. However, he said that the development of vaccines has many variables, so it is impossible to guarantee the final development time. In particular, it is explained that there are many additional tasks required for development of vaccines such as delivery strategies, supply and demand, transportation systems, inoculation personnel, inoculation priority, safety monitoring, and development formulation. "The development of plasma therapy is being promoted. Lilly, a large-scale multinational company, is currently conducting phase III clinical trials quickly," said he. Korea is expected to make a blood plasma therapy for clinical trials this week with the participation of COVID-19 confirmed patients. He said, "However, it takes a month for the blood plasma to be formulated. The manufacturing and processing process itself is complicated, and pooling, testing, and toxicity tests are also required." and he added, "In Korea, the clinical trial for blood plasma drugs begins in early September, and the goal is to secure blood plasma drugs within the year." "The development of antibody treatment systems other than blood plasma treatments are under development as planned. Antibody therapy drugs are clinically targeted to be secured in Korea in the first half of next year," said Vice President Kwon. “Vaccines have various platforms, different expert evaluations, and there are DNA vaccines or mRNA, etc.” He said that a lot of efforts are being made to develop vaccines around the world and Mainly, three domestic companies are trying to develop vaccines. "Our goal is to mass-produce vaccines that have demonstrated safety and effectiveness in Korea within 2021," he added.
- Company
- 2nd single-agent immunotherapy added for NSCLC first-line
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Jul 16, 2020 05:55am
- Another immunotherapy is expected to be added as a first-line treatment option in lung cancer. The pharmaceutical industry sources reported, Roche Korea has recently submitted an application to Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to indicate programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibiting immunotherapy Tecentriq (atezolizumab) as a first-line treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When Tecentriq’s indication expands in Korea, it would directly compete against MSD’s PD-L1 inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in the NSCLC treatment market. Tecentriq’s efficacy as a first-line treatment in NSCLC was confirmed in a clinical trial ‘IMpower110.’ The study compared the immunotherapy against chemotherapy in treating 572 of PD-L1-selected, chemotherapy-naïve patients with Stage 4 or later NSCLC without ALK or EGFR mutations. The result found the efficacy of Tecentriq performed better than chemotherapy in patient group with PD-L1-stained in over 50 percent of tumor cells (TC), or PD-L1-statined tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC) covering over 10 percent of tumor area. The Tecentriq administered group reached overall survival (OS) at 20.2 months, improving the figure by 7.1 months compared with chemotherapy at 13.1 months. Also for progression-free survival (PFS), the Tecentriq group (8.1 months) demonstrated better than the chemotherapy group (5 months). However, comparing the groups with TC over 1 percent but less than 50 percent, and IC over 1 percent but less than 10 percent, the improvement by Tecentriq is statistically insignificant. Accordingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated Tecentriq for the first-line treatment of patients with TC over 50 percent or IC over 10 percent, and the company applied for indication expansion in Korea with the same standard. Meanwhile, Keytruda has been in a discussion with the government for over two years about extending the coverage on single and combined-agent first-line treatment in NSCLC. After the Cancer Deliberation Committee has deferred the decision last month, the coverage extension has returned to the Cancer Deliberation Subcommittee. But reportedly, the health authority and the company have not reached a clear agreement.
- Policy
- The MFDS will enact a law covering special cases
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jul 16, 2020 05:54am
- The MFDS decided to promote the establishment of a law covering special cases to support the approval of vaccines and treatments for new infectious diseases such as COVID-19. It also plans to establish the Central IRB to expedite clinical trials. The MFDS made the announcement through the 'Major Business Reports' submitted to the National Assembly on the 15th. The MFDS plans to focus on establishing an institutional foundation to support COVID-19 treatment and vaccine products. First, it plans to promote a law covering special cases of the development and provision of public health crisis response products for rapid screening and approval of infectious diseases and vaccines, and support for development. In addition, the establishment of the Central IRB for rapid and integrated deliberation of multi-center clinical trials is being promoted through amendments to the Pharmaceutical Affairs law. In this regard, Seon-woo Kang , a member of Democratic Party of Korea had proposed a partial amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs law. The Central IRB provides patient support, including consultation on the operation of the clinical trial committee for each institution and compensation for damages. The MFDS has been operating a high-speed program since April, and has been promptly reviewing COVID-19 treatment and vaccines. It provides research support for candidate substances, TF team, and overseas development status and review information. As of June 30, 41 products received support such as consultation. In addition, it is making efforts to rationalize the clinical trial review procedure for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines, and to expand the institutions conducting clinical trials. In the past, the subject listened to the face-to-face description and signed a handwritten signature in order to consent to the clinical trial, but in the clinical trial of the COVID-19 treatment, the subject listened to non face-to-face explanation and improved the consent to be recorded or photo files. The MFDS said, "We will stop the spread of COVID-19 and seek a quick solution to COVID-19 through the development of therapeutics and vaccines."
- Company
- Influenza vaccine inoculation rate doubled from last year
- by Jul 16, 2020 05:54am
- n the aftermath of COVID-19, the number of influenza vaccination in the National Essential Immunization Vaccine (NIP) increased significantly in the first half of this year. On the other hand, for the same reason, other essential vaccination rates are rather have declined. According to the KCDC on the 13th, the number of NIP inoculations from January to June 2020 was 5,305,373 cases. This is a 13% decrease from the same period last year. The prominent part is the flu (influenza) vaccination rate. The only number of inoculants increased. Adults and the elderly increased 234% from 4,035 cases in the first half of last year to 13,462 this year. During the same period, the number of vaccinations for children's flu also increased by 16% from 144,080 to 166,483 cases. It is analyzed that this change has a large impact on COVID-19. The industry believes that the spread of COVID-19 has increased the number of patients who are concerned about worsening respiratory immune function and are looking for a flu vaccine as a preventive measure. Data: The KCDC In particular, in the case of the flu in the 2019-2020 season, the number of inoculums increased slightly from last year due to the aftermath of COVID-19 in the second quarter, despite the release of the watch on March 27, three months earlier than last year. Another change is the NIP range of adult flu vaccination that has expanded since the third quarter of last year. The government has added a pregnant woman to the adult flu vaccine NIP since September of last year. However, the vaccination rate of the vaccines excluding the flu fell significantly. The vaccination rate of BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine fell 41% year-on-year, and the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine also decreased by 35%. The number of MMR vaccines in the first half of last year was 553,875 cases, but this year only 359,022 cases. In the same period, the vaccination rate of the IPV (poliomyelitis) vaccine also decreased by 31% from 101,225 to 69,999 cases. The pneumococcal vaccination rate targeting people over 65 also decreased by 17%, raising concerns that vaccination is urgent. Pneumococcus is one of the leading causes of pneumonia, especially fatal in the elderly. The KCDC focused on emphasizing pneumococcal immunization by expanding the number of inoculation institutions to private hospitals and clinics (designated medical institutions), fearing that the utilization rate of the intensive care unit in COVID-19 outbreak will increase due to the occurrence of serious ill patients due to pneumococcal infections and complications. In addition to this, vaccination rates, such as Japanese encephalitis vaccines (inactivated vaccines·live attenuated vaccine), hepatitis A (HepA), hepatitis B, and pneumococcal (PCV), all decreased, except for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The KCDC urged the mandatory immunization to be immunized, saying, "If the immunization is delayed or discontinued, it may be necessary to respond to the epidemic of infectious diseases targeted for immunization such as measles in addition to COVID-19 response by the end of 2020."
- Opinion
- [Reporter’s Note] Hasty move on anti-droplet masks
- by Jul 16, 2020 05:54am
- “Anti-droplet masks? They’ll be available from Monday. People with waiting number tickets given out from 9:30 in the morning can buy a box each.” This is the answer I got at a hypermarket in Seoul asking for an anti-droplet mask. The anti-droplet mask has been in the hypermarkets and convenient stores for a month now, but they are a rare find. I have visited a number of retail shops selling the masks in Seoul, but they were “not in stock.” These places said the masks are not stocked every day, and the limited supply lasts only a few hours after opening. The absence of anti-droplet masks is replaced by mass produced single-use masks. Most of them are made in China with a price tag ranging from 280 won to 1,600 won per mask. The prices and qualities of these masks are inconsistent and the consumers can hardly check if they are made in Korea or China. Unlike quasi-drugs, these mass produced masks are not certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for liquid blocking or anti-bacterial function. In other words, the quality is questionable. If not at a pharmacy, clerks at general retailers cannot tell which mask is which. Many of the retail shops I visited said the single-use masks are dental masks. Surprisingly, some of them were selling anti-droplet masks as general single-use masks. In such chaos, pharmacies and distributors who used to supply the public-distributed masks are now torn. They are seeking for ‘Korea Filter (KF)’ masks with assuring quality, but now that low-quality products are as highly sought after, they can barely find a manufacturer to produce high-quality masks. Even after finding a willing manufacturer, the high-quality masks would always be more expensive than the single-use masks. An insider from a distributor complained, “To be honest, many of those Chinese-made products (general mask) offer a price as low as 100 won. They are using cheap and questionable felt material that we definitely say no to,” although “we are looking for certified anti-droplet or dental masks, they are realistically very difficult to get our hands on. Even if we supply the rare masks, we get complaints on the high price as the people get confused with cheap and widely available mass produced products.” The chaotic mess in the market was caused, when the Korean government designated the anti-droplet mask as a quasi-drug without confirming the stable supply and hastily promoted it as a replacement for KF masks. The skewed demand on inaccessible anti-droplet and dental masks actually benefited single-use masks. The mask manufacturers apparently prefer mass producing uncertified single-use masks, instead of quasi-drug masks requiring a certification by the government. Even worse, the certified masks get restricted from overseas exportation. Some hints that importing extremely low-cost Chinese-made masks is more profitable. The government is now sluggishly saying they would enforce KC certification on general masks after observing the situation. As the summer is approaching, the high demand on thin-layered masks was predictable. And the government could have easily expected the industry growing resistant to switch production from KF mask to anti-droplet mask. The thin-layered masks are uniquely and highly demanded for the summer season only, but a manufacturer has to exhaustingly change up the parts of production line. The government’s hasty actions like designating and promoting anti-droplet mask as a quasi-drug or retrospectively reinforcing quality control on mass produced masks could have been prevented, if only they have surveyed the industrial environment better and faster. Hopefully, we can expect the government to take more proactive actions in the future than reacting to already-stirred up market.
- Policy
- Use patent of Xarelto 2.5mg listed late
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Jul 15, 2020 07:54am
- Xarelto 2.5mgAlthough Hanmi and SK Chemicals acquired market monopoly rights as a follow-up drug to the anticoagulant drug (NOAC), Xarelto 2.5mg (Rivaroxaban), it may not exercise its right. This is because the use patent for Xarelto 2.5mg has been listed in the MFDS after the acquisition of the rights of both companies. According to the MFDS, Hanmi and SK Chemicals obtained generic exclusivity right on July 5, 2016, with Riroxiban 2.5mg and Rivaroxaban 2.5mg, respectively. The generic exclusivity period is from October 4, 2021 to July 3, 2022, when the material patent ends. Both companies succeeded in evading the patent for Xarelto 2.5mg, and were granted the right to generic exclusivity through the first application for permission. At the time, only the composition patent and the material patent were registered in the MFDS. Accordingly, the two companies that avoided the composition patent exercised the right to generic exclusivity after the termination of the material patent. However, in September of last year, Bayer Korea registered a use patent of Xarelto 2.5mg. The application patent expires on June 7, 2022. There is only a way to invalidate the patent in order for Hanmi and SK Chemical to release the patent normally during the copyright period, avoiding patent infringement. It should be launched from June 8, 2022, when the patent ends. The fact that the right to terminate the copyright was July 3, 2022. This use patent contains the contents of the use as a drug for the prevention or treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Xarelto 2.5mg has recently changed its efficacy and effectiveness. At the time of the first item approval ▲Reduced risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valve atrial fibrillation ▲Treatment of cardiac venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism ▲Reduced risk of recurrence of cardiac venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism ▲co-administered with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone or with ASA plus Clopidogrel or Ticlopidine, is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with elevated cardiac biomarkers. Recently, Xarelto, ▲ co-administered with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) alone or with ASA plus Clopidogrel or Ticlopidine, is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with elevated cardiac biomarkers, ▲co-administered with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) at high risk of ischaemic events.·Changed to effect. Hanmi and SK Chemicals' generic exclusivity items were replaced with the same indications. All of the altered indications are known to be related to the use patent. Recently, Xarelto 2.5mg has been shown to reduce the risk of death from stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease in adult patients with coronary artery disease or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease when used in combination with ASA. Based on this, a recent overseas conference recommends a combination therapy of Xarelto 2.5mg-ASA for high-risk chronic coronary syndrome patients. It is expected to boost the market preemption effect if the generic exclusivity is released earlier than the competitor based on the monopoly. It is noteworthy how Hanmi and SK Chemicals will respond to lately registered patents.
- Company
- "Ezetimibe combination drug, now key option in dyslipidemia"
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Jul 15, 2020 06:33am
- Professor Heo Jung Ho Statin has been demonstrating outstanding efficacy in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level control, while showing an assuring benefit in risk of cardiovascular death. The medicine has surely shifted the paradigm of dyslipidemia management. Nevertheless, there is no perfect drug in this world. Statin also has concerning reports of risk of diabetes and musculoskeletal adverse reactions when using high-dose (high-intensity). Still, the ‘statin plus ezetimibe’ combination is well sought after in the market. Following the current trend in cardiovascular disease treatment—the lower the LDL-C, the better for the benefit in cardiovascular system—the combination drug has taken up a significant share of the pie in dyslipidemia treatment prescription. Even in Korea, many pharmaceutical companies have combined ezetimibe with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin to launch combination drugs. The released drugs have now settled in the market. Daily Pharm interviewed Professor Heo Jung Ho of cardiology division at Kosin University Gospel Hospital to hear about his opinion on the ezetimibe and its efficacy. -Generally, when is ezetimibe combination therapy used? Personally, I still follow the pattern of initiating the prescription from moderate to high-dose statin through high-dose statin. But in some cases, patients cannot reach the recommended LDL-C target level at 70 mg/ dL (Korean guideline), or 55 mg/ dL (U.S. guideline), even with high-dose statin. And this is when I use the ezetimibe combination drug. And for patients seeing musculoskeletal adverse reaction or having high risk in diabetes, the ezetimibe combination therapy could be a good option. -What is your opinion on using the ezetimibe combination therapy as a first-line treatment for dyslipidemia patients? A clinical study in Korea is in process to confirm clear evidences. Currently, Professor Jang Yangsoo at Yonsei University Severance Hospital is leading the head-to-head comparative trial of high-intensity statin and ezetimibe combination therapy in over 3,000 patients with cardiovascular disease in Korea. 200 of the participating patients are registered from Kosin University Hospital. The outcome of the study to be disclosed in three years would give us some clearer answers. Personally, I expect both of the groups would demonstrate clinically meaningful result and efficacy. -Between rosuvastatin and atorvasutatin, what are some circumstances to be considered when prescribing a combination therapy? There is no big difference between the two. But some patients prefer either ‘atorvastatin plus ezetimibe’ or ‘rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe.’ In such case, I base my decision on clinical evidences. The effects of 20 mg of rosuvastatin and 40 mg of atrovasutatin are on par, but the combination that noticeably lowers LDL-C level would be used. -Do you prefer to use a combination drug for ezetimibe combination therapy? First of all, the combination drug is obviously more convenient. The medication convenience along with adherence is high. Patients these days ask many questions and research more information online when the number of drugs goes up. A combination drug is easy to explain how the effect is better with the same amount of drugs, and the patients also comply with the medication well. Moreover, the price of combination drug in Korea is comparatively lower against in other countries. As chronic disease patients are sensitive to the cost, the healthcare system in Korea has also boosted the preference in combination drug. - The Korean dyslipidemia treatment guideline recommends ezetimibe therapy as a second-line therapy. Although the U.S. and Europe recommends LDL-C level in the said ultra high risk group to be lowered to 55 mg/ dL and 40 mg/ dL, respectively, Korea recommends the level to be lowered to 70 mg/ dL. The bottom line is that I agree with the slogan of ‘the lower LDL-C is the better.’ However, it is not the absolute rule to be followed. I personally treat patients targeting LDL-C level at 70 mg/ dL at the moment. But when the patients show risk factors like acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI) or peripheral artery disease (PAD), the target level is lowered to 55 mg/ dL. These patients should be more aggressive in lowering the LDL-C level. And if their level does not respond with ezetimibe, Proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) inhibitor is prescribed to breakthrough. According to the healthcare reimbursement standard, ezetimibe has to be prescribed as prerequisite. And this is one of the factors raising the prescription rate of combination drug.
- Product
- Will electronic masks by LG be commercialized?
- by Kang, Shin-Kook Jul 15, 2020 06:33am
- Electronic masks made by famous domestic home appliance companies are attracting attention. LG Electronics announced on the 12th that it has donated 2000 electronic masks made of electronics and IT technology to Severance Hospital to express appreciation and support to medical staff who need to work while wearing masks to overcome COVID-19. The electronic mask contains the patented technology and know-how of LG Electronics' puricare air purifier. Two replaceable HEPA filters (grade H13) are attached to the front of the mask, and the user inhales the air that has passed through the HEPA filters. Electronic mask developed by LG Electronics The amount of air entering the mask is controlled by an ultra-small fan mounted under each HEPA filter. The mask applies a sensor that detects the pressure generated during breathing and a breath recognition algorithm to increase the fan speed when the user inhales, increasing the amount of air entering the mask and reducing the speed when exhaling. In order to design a mask that fits well with the shape of the face, LG Electronics analyzed the face type in collaboration with the Ergonomics Design Laboratory of the Department of Industrial Management Engineering, Korea University. The product also received certification mark for EMF, which certifies that electromagnetic waves generated from electrical products are released below a certain level from the KTC. However, the timing, method, and price of selling to the public have not yet been determined. LG Electronics is also considering donating electronic masks for workers in public institutions who need to always wear masks due to frequent contact with people following medical staff. Therefore, outpatient pharmacies predicted that if there is little maintenance cost and the product price is reasonable, there is a possibility that it will work in the market. "COVID-19 outbreak may be an opportunity for a company. It should be seen in product size, price, and convenience, but it is likely to be used in places where there is a high likelihood of exposure to COVID-19, such as pharmacies and medical institutions," said Pharmacist K, in gangnam, Seoul.
