dailypharmkorea

Policy
↑The cost of drugs for severe dz by ₩1.79 trillion
by Lee, Tak-Sun Jun 29, 2022 05:53am
The proportion of drug costs for four major serious diseases such as cancer and rare diseases is increasing significantly every year. Another reason is the increasing number of expensive new drugs that are listed. As the proportion of drug costs for these four major serious diseases increases, the need for efficient financial management measures is also expected to increase. According to the "2021 reimbursed drug claim status" published by the HIRA on the 27th, the cost of drugs for the four major diseases was 5.6 trillion won last year, accounting for 26.4% of the total drug cost of 21.2097 trillion won. The four major serious diseases refer to cancer, cerebrovascular, heart, and rare and symptomatic incurable diseases. Among them, most of them are cancer and drugs for rare and symptomatic incurable diseases. The cost of drugs for the four major serious diseases increased by 1.79 trillion won in four years from 3.8107 trillion won in 2017. The share of the total drug cost also increased significantly from 23.5% in 2017 to 26.4% in 2021. At this rate, it is expected to exceed 30% soon. Among the four major serious diseases, the proportion of cancer disease drug costs also increased from 12% in 2017 to 14.2% in 2021. In addition, the proportion of drugs for rare and symptomatic incurable diseases also increased from 10.8% to 11.6%. Analysts say that drug costs are also increasing as the health insurance coverage rate for the four major serious diseases is strengthened. However, analysts say that the pace of increase in drug costs will exceed expectations as new drugs targeting certain cancers or rare diseases are increasingly priced. Kymriah, which was recently registered, was listed for 3603 million won, Spinraza 92.35 million won, and Lutathera 22.1 million won. On top of that, the proportion of high-priced drugs for cancer and rare diseases is expected to increase as one-shot treatments worth more than 1 billion won, such as Zolgensma and Luxturna, are waiting for reimbursement one after another. Analysts say that the voluntary reduction in drug prices for MSD's diabetes drug Januvia as MSD Kymriah was listed as the primary drug for non-small cell lung cancer in February is also a case in point of view. The proportion of total drug costs in health insurance medical expenses has been stably managed. Last year, the proportion of drug costs was 24.06%, down from 25.09% in 2017.