Kymriah's fast track is needed

A patient group submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea

It also urges fast track of financial sharing measures to cover ultra-high-priced drugs

Patient groups objected to the decision of the Cancer Drugs Benefit Appeal Committee on hold against Kymriah (Tisagenleclecel), which drew attention to insurance benefits as a cell therapy and a "one-shot treatment." This is because it is a new drug that is directly related to life for leukemia patients, and even though they have to be paid in a hurry through the fast track system, the progress is slow and causes pain.

 

Korea Leukemia patients organization said it will submit a petition to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea on October 1.

 

Kymriah is the world's first CAR-T treatment licensed as efficacy and effect indication for treatment of recurrent or refractory B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia patients and recurrent or refractory giant B cell lymphoma adult patients.

 

Novartis Korea was approved by the MFDS on March 5 and applied with the HIRA on the 3rd, two days ago.

 

However, at the 6th Cancer Drugs Benefit Appeal Committee held on September 1, the progress was blocked.

 

At that time, members of the Cancer Drugs Benefit Appeal Committee decided to quickly re-discuss the amendments mentioned.

 

It costs about 500 million won per dose, which is an ultra-high-priced drug.

 

The patient group expressed regret over the slow progress, saying, "If the patients do not receive Kymriah treatment, most patients with end-stage acute lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma can die within 3 to 6 months." In fact, the drug was previously expected to be discussed at the Cancer Drugs Benefit Application Committee in July, but the patient group's demand grew even greater because it was not even proposed and was suspended in the September discussion.

 

What the patient organization requires is to include Kymriah in the fast track system.

 

Insurance authorities are paying for drugs that are directly related to life by stepping on a track that can make fast tracks.

 

Korea Leukemia patients organization plans to submit a petition to the Minister of Health and Welfare in the name of not introducing a "quick registration system for new drug health insurance directly related to life" to Korea.

 

In addition, considering that the drug is an ultra-high-priced drug, the patient association will hold a press conference at the same time urging the preparation of active financial sharing measures for fast track.