[Newsmp] The Korean government has established new coverage standard for Levofloxacin injection drug Cravit Inj. (Jeil Pharmaceutical) and oral drug Levofexin (Il Dong Pharmaceutical), and expanded coverage standard for Doxycycline Vibramycin-N (Pfizer), in response to the spread of Mycoplasma pneumonia.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Monday an administrative notice of ‘Notice of the Review Results of a Healthcare Service Claim’ and said it will take effect on December 20.
According to the ordinance, Levofloxacin injection is covered by insurance when administered to treat macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumonia, within the scope of its approved indications and beyond.
Levofloxacin injections are now covered for macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumonia in children who have not improved after 3 days of macrolide antibiotics. For children under 5 years old, the dose is 16 to 20 mg/kg/day, every 12 hours (maximum 750 mg/day). For children 5 years of age or older, the dose is 8 to 10 mg/kg/day, once a day (maximum 750 mg/day). The administration period is within 7 to 14 days.
Doxycycline drugs are also covered by insurance for the treatment of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumonia, in addition to the existing coverage criteria, even if it is used off-label.
Doxycycline formulations are approved for administration in children under 12 years of age who do not achieve symptom improvement after 3 days of macrolide antibiotic therapy. The given dosage is 4mg/kg/day, divided into two doses (maximum 200mg/day), with a treatment duration of 7 to 14 days.
Furthermore, Levofloxacin oral preparations are reimbursed for the treatment of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumonia, even when used off-label.
As with other approved drugs, the eligible are children diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumonia who fail to achieve symptom improvement after 3 days of treatment with macrolide antibiotics. For children under 5 years of age, the dosage is 16-20 mg/kg per day, divided into two doses (maximum 750 mg/day). For children 5 years of age and older, the dosage is 8-10 mg/kg per day, given once daily (maximum 750 mg/day). For adolescents with mature musculoskeletal systems, the dosage is 500 mg per day, given once daily. The treatment period is 7-14 days.
