There shouldn't be any patients who can't receive new drugs

just because they don't have money

2022 New Year's Talk (3)= Lee Young Shin, vice chairman of KRPIA

Global pharmaceutical companies, which can be said to be the mainstay of the supply of new drugs.

 

The KRPIA, which represents these companies, is also raising expectations in 2022.

 

Multinational pharmaceutical companies' attention is more focused on the "appropriate value of new drugs" than ever before.

 

With the advent of the so-called "high-priced drug era," it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a point of contact between the government and the pharmaceutical industry.

 

There are still many discussions and suggestions regarding the drug price system, such as expanding the scope of application of the PE system, introducing pre-registration & post-evaluation, and adding drugs subject to negotiation and calculation.

 

Dailypharm met with Lee Young-shin (64 yrs old), a full-time vice chairman of KRPIA, and heard about KRPIA's future plans for a period of expectation and transformation.

 

-The regime will change in 2022.

 

What is there to ask for a new government?

Vice Chairman Lee Youngshin

= In the new government, it is hoped that patients will not be able to receive treatment or health insurance coverage for severe disease treatments due to low income.

 

In other words, it is expected that policies will be prepared and implemented so that there are no patients who are alienated and discriminated against from necessary treatments due to income and disease.

 

The government is expanding its role as a global leader and has announced several plans to become a biopharmaceutical industry powerhouse.

 

This seems to have originated from the belief that economic scale, public awareness, and potential technology have aspects of advanced countries.

 

In order to become a biopharmaceutical powerhouse, one must not stay in "vaccine sovereignty" but have "new drug sovereignty," and sovereignty is being created.

 

From a global perspective, Eco-systems and infrastructure in the pharmaceutical industry should be established, and open innovation should be established with an open mind.

 

- What is the current issue or vision that the KRPIA wants to focus on the most this year? = In the new year, the KRPIA will also make efforts to help the pharmaceutical bio-industry take responsibility for public health and contribute to economic development.

 

First of all, new drugs with new therapeutic paradigms such as state-of-the-art biopharmaceuticals are being released.

 

We will actively participate in the improvement of policies and systems related to drugs and new drugs that allow domestic patients to access quickly, and promote the improvement of patients' access to new drugs as a top priority.

 

- Then, what do you think was the biggest achievement of the KRPIA last year? = In the face of COVID-19 Pandemic, which is suffering worldwide, it was rewarding to secure the stability of the supply of imported medicines as a measure for the health rights of the people.

 

The expected issues were identified in advance, discussions with regulators, and alternatives were presented, and continued to cooperate.

 

As a result, it was able to receive active government support, such as replacing document screening of overseas surveys, utilizing online due diligence, allowing electronic documents, and activating counseling through video conferences, and stably supplying medicines without major problems.

 

It is also proud that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by our member company contributed to the quarantine.

 

What was the most regrettable issue as an association last year? = Last year, there was great progress and improvement in the regulatory environment to quickly develop and introduce COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and we appreciate the government's efforts to do so.

 

It is necessary for the government and industry to proactively prepare and discuss after post-Corona to prepare for the introduction of products due to the development of new technologies, patient access to new treatments, and electronic product manuals that can quickly provide the latest drug information.

 

I hope there will be a lot of progress this year, and the association will continue to make efforts.

 

- When talking about the contribution of multinational pharmaceutical companies to Korea, it is true that the investment of research funds in Korea was focused on phase 3 research.

 

Is there a plan for basic research support? = According to the results of the annual R&D survey conducted by the Association on member companies, the growth rate of phase 1 and phase 2 corresponding to the initial clinical trial has recently increased significantly compared to the growth rate of phase 3.

 

I know that many member companies are actively cooperating in various forms with domestic research institutes, schools, and bio-ventures to support basic research.

 

However, since basic research is in the very early stages of research and development, the contents and progress cannot be disclosed.