Paxlovid transition to general health system effective June

Government supply·market distribution→market distribution as a single channel

Paxlovid acquisition cost is KRW 941,940...how can pharmacists place order Paxlovid during the influenza outbreak?

Product photo of Paxlovid

Paxlovid, a treatment for COVID-19, will be transitioned to the general healthcare system starting in June.

 

The free supply previously provided to centers designated for COVID-19 treatment (prescribing facilities) will be terminated entirely due to stock depletion.

 

According to local pharmacists, on the 9th, various local public health centers recently announced that they would discontinue new supplies.

 

The public health centers stated, '"Although the government has been supplying Paxlovid through both market distribution and government-supplied stocks, new supplies from the government are scheduled to discontinue starting in June due to exhaustion of stock.' The announcement is interpreted as a plan to transition Paxlovid entirely to the general healthcare system after the government-held stocks expire at the end of May.

 

Pharmacy's applications and distribution for remaining stock are still ongoing.

 

Pharmacist A stated, "I ordered four units through the public health center,” and added, “We placed the order as a precaution since there have still been occasional COVID-19 cases," and added, "I am now concerned about how to place Paxlovid orders once it transitions to the general healthcare system." Concerns over placing Paxlovid orders during the transition to the general healthcare system continue.

 

Pharmacist B, who operates a Paxlovid-dedicated pharmacy, commented, "We received notice from the public health center that free supply will be discontinued at the end of May," and added, "This means that the distribution channels will be switched to a single market channel, but the specifics on orders are still undecided." Since October 25 of last year, when health insurance coverage for Paxlovid was first applied, a portion has been transitioned to the general healthcare system so that all clinics and pharmacies can handle it.

 

However, the high price of KRW 950,000 per package (30 tablets) remains a significant burden, as discussed among pharmacists.

 

Pharmacist B explained, "We have inquired with several wholesalers, but they all responded that there is currently no stock available," and added, "Since the acquisition cost is KRW 941,940, nearly KRW 950,000, I am concerned that pharmacies might end up bearing the stock, which would be problematic." Pharmacists point out that wholesalers have not yet released clear policies on the return of Paxlovid, raising concerns that without such policies, they could incur losses due to non-returnable stock.

 

Pharmacist C also remarked, "Once the government's free supply of Paxlovid is depleted, the number of pharmacies ordering it will inevitably decrease," adding, "While it would be ideal if COVID-19 does not resurge, in the event of another outbreak, the burden of inventory and the inconvenience of dispensing for patients are expected to be unavoidable." However, the co-payment fee remains at approximately KRW 47,090 per package, maintaining the current level of around KRW 50,000.

 

Earlier, Lee Jung Kyu, Director of the General Bureau of Health Insurance Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), stated, "In order to minimize gaps in practices due to the system transition and to efficiently utilize the purchased stock, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) plans to maintain both market distribution and government supply for awhile," and added, "With health insurance coverage for COVID-19 treatments, we expect that patients will be able to use these treatments stably in response to COVID-19 resurges, and we will continue working to expand health insurance coverage for essential treatments needed in society."