Lowers the upper limit of AlunbrigㆍZytigaㆍXigduoㆍLixiana
Raises the upper limit of VecaronㆍActilyseㆍArtamin
[Newsmp] LG Chem’s growth hormone Eutropin S and Celltrion’s biosimilar to Avastin Vegzelma entered the pharmaceutical benefits list in December.
Takeda Korea’s ulcerative colitis treatment Kynteles was also registered.
Among the existing listed drugs, the upper limit of benefits was lowered for Takeda Korea’s prescription medicine used to treat adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Alunbrig, Janssen Korea’s Zytiga used to treat men with prostate cancer, Kyowa Kirin Korea’s treatment for thrombocytopenia Romiplate, AstraZeneca Korea’s Xigduo used to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, Daiichi Sankyo Korea’s anticoagulant medicine Lixiana and Whanin Pharmaceutical’s antidepressant medication Arogotin.
On the other hand, Reyon Pharmaceutical’s skeletal muscle relaxant Vecaron, Boehringer Ingelheim Korea’s blood clots treatment Actilyse and Il Dong Pharmaceutical’s Artamin, the treatment of Wilson’s disease, have been raised in the upper limit of benefits.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Potastine OD, the treatment of allergic rhinitis, was scheduled to be lowered on the 26th, and will maintain its existing upper limit.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare partially revised the “Pharmaceutical benefit list and the table of the upper limit of benefits” and announced it on Nov. 29. (Notification 2022-262)
According to the notice, Eutropin S Pen Inj. (36IU/3mL) has a wage cap of KRW 177,486 per Pen. It is the same price as the existing Eutropin Pen Inj. (36IU/1.6mL).
Eutropin S is a drug with a longer shelf life (18 months → 24 months) and improved administration convenience than the existing Eutropin.
Celltrion’s Vegzelma has an upper limit of KRW 208,144 per vial for 4ml and KRW 677,471 per vial for 16ml.
Takeda Korea’s Kynteles Prefilled Pen Injection was set at KRW 350,500 per 0.68ml pen.
Among the existing drugs, Whanin Pharmaceutical’s Argotin Tab. 25mg was cut by 5.4%, while Daiichi Sankyo’s Lixiana was reduced by 3.7% for a total of three drugs, 15, 30 and 60 mg.
Kyowa Kirin Korea’s Romiplate Injection 250μg was lowered by 1.5%, and Takeda Korea’s Alunbrig Tab. 30mg by 2.0%, and 90mg and 180mg by 1.9%.
Moreover, Xigduo XR Tab. 10/1000mg and Xigduo XR Tab. 10/500mg were reduced by 3.0%, while Janssen Korea’s Zytiga Tab. 500mg saw a 7.8% reduction.
On the contrary, Ildong Pharmaceutical’s Artamin Capsules increased by 8.7% in 150mg and 9.4% in 250mg, while Boehringer Ingelheim Korea’s Actilyse Injection rose by 15.0% in 20mg and 50mg.
Reyon Pharmaceutical’s Vecaron Injection 10mg was raised by 26.3% and 4mg by 8.4% per vial, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Potastine OD Tablet will maintain the existing upper limit of KRW 193.
