Gov needs to maintain patient benefits to the public

Korea Organization For Patient Group "Patient anxiety and confusion still...""Please make sure that it's the MOHW

Starting next year, the Korea Organization For Patient Group expressed regret to the MOHW and the HIRA, which triggered anxiety and confusion among cancer patients by announcing plans to exclude second-tier anticancer drugs from the coverage.

 

The Korea Organization For Patient Group urged the MOHW and the HIRA to give confidence in ensuring the continuity of treatment for patients taking anticancer drugs, which have been subject to new comprehensive applications.

 

The Korea Organization For Patient Group released a press release on the 2nd and said, "The government and pharmaceutical companies should actively cooperate and ensure that all cancer patients receive health insurance benefits to quickly register second-tier anticancer drugs such as targeted anticancer drugs and immuno-cancer drugs." They pointed out that the HIRA caused confusion among patients by saying that all second-tier anticancer drugs and rare drugs were decided as non-target items in an official letter to hospitals participating in the pilot project for the new comprehensive fee system next year.

 

The official document that cancer patients, who have been treated for only 5% co payment so far, have to pay 100% of the drug price from January 1 next year is tantamount to telling the patient to give up treatment.

 

The group introduced the Democratic Party of Korea, Kang Byeongwon and Nam In-soon, urging the government to take the lead in promoting the fact that anticancer drug benefits will be maintained regardless of the system improvement.

 

The intention is to clarify the continuity of treatment for cancer patients through explanatory press releases.

 

The Korea Organization For Patient Group said, "Targeted anticancer drugs and immuno-cancer drugs used to treat cancer patients must be approved by the MFDS and registered as health insurance quickly." The Patient Group pointed out that "second-tier anticancer drugs that have not yet been registered as health insurance are causing conflicts between the government and pharmaceutical companies due to high drug prices and financial sharing measures." "If pharmaceutical companies do not apply for health insurance registration, they should apply quickly, and the MOHW should consult closely with insurance benefits and insurance medicine departments to expedite health insurance registration," the group said.

 

The patient group added, "All cancer patients who need second-tier anticancer drug treatment should receive health insurance benefits and should not have victims in good faith."