MSD withdraws SGLT2 inhibitors in a row

Segluromet is discontinued in KOR

Due to a decrease in market demand, MSD has decided to discontinue distribution after the final import this year

Last year, MSD voluntarily withdrew a metformin combination therapy, 'Segluromet'

MSD Korea is facing tough competition in the market for SGLT-2 inhibitors in South Korea.

 

MSD decided that they will discontinue the supply of Steglatro Tab 5 mg and 'Stegluzan Tab 5/100 mg (ertugliflozin plus sitagliptin)' after voluntarily withdrawing 'Steglatro Tab 15 mg (ertugliflozin)' and metformin combination therapy, 'Segluromet,' last year.

 

The list of approved and withdrawn SGLT-2 inhibitors by MSD in South Korea.

 

Except for Stegluzan Tab 15/100 mg, all of MSD

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) report on the 15th, supply discontinuation was reported for Steglatro Tab 5 mg and Stegluzan Tab 5/100 mg.

 

Imports of Steglatro Tab 5 mg will end on May 31st and Stegluzan Tab 5/100 mg will end on August 30th, after which these drugs will be discontinued.

 

MSD says, “Due to a reduction in market demand, we will discontinue these drugs after the final import.” And MSD also stated, “The last import date is flexible depending on the manufacturing schedule and planned between mid-May and mid-August.” MSD stated that substitution is possible since other SGLT-class products are already available in the market.

 

They also mentioned that they will notify healthcare professionals before discontinuing sales to ensure appropriate measures can be taken.

 

If MSD voluntarily withdraws two items that they have decided to discontinue importing, Stegluzan Tab 15/100 mg will be their only SGLT-2 inhibitor containing ertugliflozin.

 

However, Stegluzan Tab 15/100 mg has no distribution record after approval, and the company does not intend to distribute.

 

The market for SGLT-2 inhibitors has grown to KRW 170 billion.

 

According to the pharmaceutical market research agency UBIST, Steglatro generated merely KRW 1.6 billion in outpatient prescriptions.

 

Industry analysis suggests that Steglatro lacks a competitive edge compared to Forxiga and Jardiance because its indication is limited to type 2 diabetes and clinical trials are lacking in expanding treatment areas.

 

Changes in prescription performance by SGLT-2 inhibitors.

SGLT-2 inhibitors have emerged as treatments for type 2 diabetes and are broadening their use in various diseases targeting the heart and kidney.

 

SGLT-2 inhibitors inhibit the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, leading to glucose excretion in the urine.

 

This results in reduced blood sugar, weight loss, kidney function protection, and blood pressure reduction.

 

As of 2022, the items have recorded over KRW 40 billion in outpatient prescriptions individually, including AstraZeneca’s monotherapy 'Forxiga (ingredient: dapagliflozin),' a combination therapy ‘Xigduo,’ and Boehringer Ingelheim's monotherapy Jardiance (ingredient: empagliflozin).

 

AstraZeneca’s drug generated KRW 91.4 billion, approximately KRW 15 billion more than Boehringer Ingelheim’s KRW 76.1 billion.