Will Paxlovid open a market for elderly people’s benefits?

With Corona Era

Pfizer, after applying for benefits, the target registration process for next year is underway

Government audit calls for future alternatives, including treatment costs

As the sense of crisis regarding COVID-19 infection is decreasing, attention is being paid to whether Paxlovid, a treatment drug, can successfully be registered for insurance benefits.

 

Pfizer Korea is currently proceeding with the registration process for Paxlovid, which has been approved as an oral treatment for COVID-19, with the goal of listing it for insurance benefits in the first half of next year.

 

The government announced that it will pursue the registration of Paxlovid insurance benefits within the first half of 2024 in accordance with the plan to ease the COVID-19 crisis level adjustment roadmap.

 

This measure is due to the fact that Paxlovid, which is currently supplied free of charge, is about to be converted to a paid supply like general medicines.

 

When stage 2 of the COVID-19 crisis level adjustment roadmap, which further relaxes the quarantine system, is implemented next month, COVID-19 will transform into a level 4 infectious disease like influenza.

 

The government said that even if the second stage roadmap is implemented, it will provide oral COVID-19 treatments free of charge for the time being, but it is unknown how long the free provision period will last.

 

Therefore, the smooth prescription of Paxlovid will be determined depending on whether or not it is registered for future benefits.

 

The need for COVID-19 measures for the elderly was also raised during the National Assembly audit.

 

At the Ministry of Health and Welfare inspection held at the National Assembly on the 11th, Secretary of the Health and Welfare Committee Koh Young-in (Democratic Party of Korea) said, "As COVID-19 has reached an epidemic level, free support such as PCR tests and treatments has been discontinued, and starting next year, health insurance coverage will also be extended to general medical care.

 

"The system changes.

 

For the elderly, the fatality rate is 50 times that of those in their 40s, and the treatment costs from about 800,000 won to 1 million won, and when the patient copayment becomes 30%, the treatment cost is about 300,000 won," he pointed out.

 

The government also says it will consider a plan for this.

 

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong said, "There are cases where the epidemic trend increases at certain times, but it is currently decreasing.

 

The transition to the medical system is being decided after listening to the opinions of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and experts." He added, "I agree that the fatality rate is still high for the elderly.

 

“There is a burden on the cost of the treatment, so we will consider a plan.

 

Even if it is not necessarily free support, we will discuss a plan to ease the burden,” he replied.