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- 2026-05-07 18:03:07
- Company
- Nic Horridge resigns as CEO of Roche Korea
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 30, 2023 05:29am
- CEO Nic Horridge According to related industries, CEO Nic Horridge will step down as CEO of Roche's Korean subsidiary at the end of this month and become CEO of the Australian subsidiary. CEO Nic Horridge was appointed as CEO of Roche Korea in October 2018 and led the company for approximately five years. During his tenure, he achieved the expansion of primary lung cancer coverage of the immunotherapy drug Tecentriq, as well as the listing of new items such as spinal muscular atrophy treatment Evrysdi, eye disease treatment Vabysmo, and cancer-regarding cancer drug Rozlytrek. In addition, he promoted Agile Transformation, which was carried out at the headquarters level to quickly and flexibly make the organization's work methods and operating model. Unlike general pharmaceutical company employees who are responsible for each product, employees are responsible for diseases, or specific indications. However, in the process, quite a few issues of personnel adjustment and departure occurred. Meanwhile, CEO Nic Horridge has served as the leader of the marketing division in several countries around the world, including the headquarters, since joining Roche's New Zealand branch in 2005, and served as Roche's Vietnam branch manager from May 2016 until recently. Before joining Roche, he had extensive business experience in sales and marketing for 3M Healthcare and received a bachelor's degree in cell biology and a doctorate in molecular biology from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
- Policy
- NA criticizes HIRA's low prior approval of specific drug
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 30, 2023 05:29am
- In response to the criticism that the prior review approval rate of certain drugs is low, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service said that the low rate is due to a lack of understanding of the reimbursement standards and that it will maintain the current standards. The response was made regarding the low approval rate of Soliris for aHUS (atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome) disease. On the 18th, Rep. Sun-Woo Kang of the Democratic Party of Korea made a written inquiry about the low prior approval rate of certain drugs used for aHUS during the NA audit of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. aHUS is a severe and rare hereditary disease in which 79% of patients die or require dialysis within 3 years of onset and suffer permanent renal failure. Also, patents with aHUS experience 'thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA)' (a condition in which blood clots and inflammation damage small blood vessels throughout the body), and major organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain become damaged, bringing about various complications such as acute renal failure, heart failure, and stroke. In acute cases, the disease can tear internal organs within 1 week, especially the walls of the kidneys, which severe cases lead to death. The prior approval system was implemented in 1992 as a system that allows a prior review subcommittee, which consists of several experts, to decide whether or not to allow reimbursement for each case before treatment to allow patients in dire need of treatment with high-priced rare disease treatments. The system has been applied to pharmaceuticals since 2007. This is not the first time Soliris' low approval rate for aHUS has been raised as an issue. According to the data presented by Yong Kyun Won, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Soonchunhyang Univ. Cheonan Hospital, Soliris’s prior approval rate for aHUS was only 21.6%. None of the 6 new applications filed in July that were disclosed by the HIRA passed expert review. This is why experts in the field have expressed concerns saying, "If the prior review approval rate is low, the prescribing doctor may give up use of the drug in advance, impeding patient access to treatment." However, HIRA has been arguing that the low approval rate is not a concern, rather, it is due to a lack of understanding of the reimbursement standards. In a response to Rep Kang’s written inquiry, HIRA stated, "The approval rate for aHUS is low because medical institutions have been filing many applications to receive help from experts in the prior review subcommittee on determining the reimbursement adequacy of their patients or apply with a lack of knowledge about the reimbursement standards, rather than clearly determining the eligibility and exclusion criteria themselves based on each patient’s medical records. In addition, regarding the criticism about the strict reimbursement standards, HIRA answered, “A reimbursement t expansion request has been filed recently, asking for ‘'ease of the TMA requirements in the aHUS salary standards.’” After discussing the request at an advisory meeting, including experts from related societies such as the Korean Society of Nephrology, they concluded that the current standards should be maintained, as no new clinical evidence has been generated to warrant a change, and the prior review subcommittee has been reviewing the situation of each patient in consideration of the comprehensive situation of each patient for cases that require medical judgment.” Despite so, concerns have continued to rise in the field. In a survey conducted on relevant societies in the ‘Current Status and Improvement Plan for Medical Benefit Prior Approval System (2022)’ that was conducted by HIRA, the relevant societies said that the criteria for selecting target drugs for the prior review system have not been specified, and the varying composition of the expert committee members that discuss each reimbursement can bring different results. Related academic societies said, “Although the prior review application process in itself is complicated, there is a lack of sufficient explanation regarding the progress or reasons for disapproval. Patients miss out on the appropriate treatment period due to the prior review meeting schedule, which is held once or twice a month. Therefore, flexible operation may be necessary to review cases that arise by case." In addition to Rep Kang, Rep Chounsook Jung from the same party had also raised the issue of the prior review approval rate of a specific drug. Jung made a written inquiry to the health authorities regarding the cases of disapproval of Spinraza, which is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and the need for their improvement. Spinraza’s scope of administration has been expanded starting in October. Its subjects have been expanded from those under the age of 3 to those under the age of 18 who show onset of symptoms. Rep. Jung pointed out that measures are needed for patients who were not approved before the change of the standards. Regarding this, HIRA said, "Patients who were previously disapproved because they did not meet the existing age requirements may be able to receive reimbursement if they meet all the reimbursement requirements after evaluation through the prial approval process in line with to the expansion of the age requirement. However, patients who were disapproved while receiving other drugs after review would need to consider that their decision was made based on the expert opinion that ‘after a close and careful review of the medical records (progress record, test results, video, etc.), the members of the ‘prior review subcommittee’ that consist of many experts made the professional medical judgment that ‘it cannot be determined whether the motor function can be maintained or improved with administration of the medication.” HIRA added, “We also have a relief procedure that allows patients and caregivers to file an appeal to the prior review results, and committee members rediscuss the rejected cases based on the submitted explanatory material. If the patient or institution has an objection to the appealed results, they may seek relief for the patient’s rights through administrative adjudication by the Health Insurance Dispute Mediation Committee." HIRA added that 10 administrative adjudications have been filed, 8 of which were rejected, and 2 are under review.
- Policy
- New dug price reeval standards will be set within the year
- by Lee, Jeong-Hwan Oct 27, 2023 05:33am
- The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service said, “We will prepare a final plan within this year” to an inquiry on the progress made on the reevaluation of off-patent drugs through a comparison of overseas drug prices. In particular, based on the established reevaluation standards, HIRA also expressed their intention to sequentially carry out reevaluations starting next year and reduce the prices of drugs listed at higher prices compared to overseas to secure the financial sustainability of Korea’s national health insurance. Such will were found in the response submitted to answer People Power Party Rep. Young-Hee Choi’s written inquiry during the NA audit on the 25th. Regarding the comparison of overseas drug prices, HIRA explained that it had improved the foreign drug price reference standard (foreign drug price conversion formula) through the operation of a working group with the pharmaceutical industry last year. HIRA is currently working with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to prepare a plan to compare and reevaluate overseas drug prices of listed drugs and announced that it will prepare a final plan within this year after gathering opinions through meetings with the pharmaceutical industry. HIRA said, “We plan to carry out the revaluations sequentially on an annual basis starting next year. We will secure the sustainability of health insurance finances by managing the expenditures spent on drugs listed at a higher price compared to foreign countries.”
- Company
- Nephoxil can be prescribed at general hospitals
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 27, 2023 05:33am
- Nephoxil, a hyperphosphatemia treatment drug, is entering the prescription range of general hospitals. According to related industries, Kyowa Kirin Korea's Nepocsil has passed the Drug Committee of about 50 hospitals across the country, including Sinchon Severance Hospital. Nephoxil was developed as a new iron-based phosphorus binder with high solubility, and through clinical trials, it not only has a phosphorus control effect but also has an additional anemia correction effect, reducing the dosage of hematopoietic hormones and iron injections. In addition, the capsule formulation is evaluated to not only improve medication compliance but also contribute to the economical treatment of hyperphosphatemia patients among hemodialysis patients. Nephoxil was approved for improving hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis and was listed on the health insurance coverage list on July 1. It is imported and sold by Kyowa Kirin Korea, the Korean subsidiary of Japanese Kyowa Kirin, but it was developed by a Taiwanese pharmaceutical company, not Japan. This can be seen as a rare case where a Taiwanese new drug was imported domestically and even applied for reimbursement. In particular, this drug was not listed in the A7 reference country, but it was cheaper than alternative drugs and took only 1 year and 2 months from approval to reimbursement. Non-calcium drugs currently on the market include Sanofi Renvela, SK Chemicals Invela, and JW Pharmaceuticals Fosrenol. In particular, several generic Renvela drugs have recently come out and are competing with it.
- Policy
- Galvusmet generics released in all dosage forms in KOR
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 27, 2023 05:33am
- Novartis Korea The second round of competitions is now on with the entry of Galvusmet generics. If the first round was held between generics before and after Galvusmet’s substance patent expiry, the second round this time expected this time is set to start with the release of Galvusmet generics that come in all dosage forms. According to the industry on the 26th, Daewoong Bio, Mothers Pharmaceutical, and Korea Hutex Pharmaceutical, led by the contracted CDMO Genuone Science, will launch all dosage forms of Galvusmet generics. Galvusmet is a combination of the DPP-4 inhibitor vildagliptin and metformin hydrochloride. Novartis Korea received approval for the drugs in 2008 in Korea. It had been offered in three doses, Galvusmet Tab 50/500mg, Galvusmet Tab 50/850mg, and Galvusmet Tab 50/1000mg. Five companies (United Pharma Korea, Shinpoong, Ahn-gook, Ahn-gook New Pharm, Samjin) had previously released a 50/500mg dosage of the same-ingredient generic. Only Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Vildaglmet Tab and KyungBo Pharma’s Vildamet Tab offered all the dosage forms offered by Galvusmet, and were self-modified drugs. So this is the first time 50/850mg, and 50/1000mg same-ingredient generics are being released in Korea. Last year, Galvus (including single and combination drugs) posted outpatient prescription sales of KRW 14.5 billion (UBIST data). Among the amount, the original Galvus series posted KRW 32.4 billion in prescriptions, down 30% YoY due to the release of generics. Among the latecomers, Hanmi’s Vildagle series showed the highest performance of KRW 3.9 billion. The analysis is that the company succeeded in preoccupying the market by launching a variety of dosage options. The competition is expected to intensify further with the release of the generic versions in all dosages. In particular, these Galvus generics were released after the enforcement of patent avoidance and bioequivalence t sharing regulations 1 (consignee) + 3 (consignor) and therefore will have fewer competitors than Forxiga or Januvia, which will work in favor of the generic companies in terms of sales and marketing. Also, the fact that the market size for the combination drug Galvusmet is 5 times larger than that of its single-agent drug Galvus is also a factor that the generic companies are looking forward to. Last year, Galvus recorded outpatient prescriptions of KRW 5.4 billion, while Galvusmet recorded KRW 26.9 billion.
- Company
- Livtencity aims to enter the reimbursement market
- by Eo, Yun-Ho Oct 27, 2023 05:33am
- According to related industries, Takeda Pharmaceutical Korea's Livtencity submitted a benefit application in the third quarter of last year, has completed PE, and is currently submitting it to the HIRA Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Evaluation Committee. Accordingly, it remains to be seen whether an alternative treatment option can be developed for patients resistant to existing drugs. CMV is a type of herpes virus that infects more than 60% of adults worldwide at least once in their lives. It is a typical disease that occurs in patients who use immunosuppressants after hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) transplantation. The risk is such that 30-70% of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients experience CMV viremia. In hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients, CMV disease causes multi-organ diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, retinitis, and encephalitis, of which pneumonia has a mortality rate of up to 60%. Because CMV in immunocompromised patients is fatal, preemptive treatment is generally administered, mainly ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir, and hospitalization is essential. Additionally, because these drugs have similar mechanisms if resistance to one drug develops, it is highly likely to not respond to other treatments. With the advent of Livtencity, there is hope for secondary treatment. Livtencity has almost no side effects compared to existing drugs and can provide an alternative in cases where resistance to these treatments develops. The antiviral activity of this drug, Livtencity, inhibits CMV proliferation and migration through a differentiated multi-modal mechanism of action that inhibits the protein kinase of the HCMV enzyme UL97. It not only inhibits DNA from coming out of cells but also inhibits DNA replication and virus encapsulation. Livtencity was approved by the US FDA as the first treatment for CMV-infected patients in November 2021 and was approved in Korea in December last year.
- Policy
- Final PVA improvement plan to be prepared soon
- by Lee, Tak-Sun Oct 27, 2023 05:33am
- The final plan to improve the price-volume linkage system is expected to be prepared soon. Most of the improvement plans are expected to reflect the research service results that were released last April. According to industry sources on the 26th, the National Health Insurance Service will complete the public-private working group activities that have been held since June will be completed with the last meeting held on improving the usage-drug price linkage system in early November The NHIS plans to prepare a final draft after the completion of working group activities and aims to revise the internal guidelines with the goal of implementing it on January 1 next year. Accordingly, the final draft is expected to be released at the end of the year. The revision to the internal guidelines is likely to raise the claims amount standard for drugs subject to PVA price cut negotiations from KRW 2 billion to KRW 3-4 billion. If this happens, lower-performing products will likely be relieved of the burden of relieving drug price cuts. However, the other measures that require notification will be implemented later. Industry experts expect the changes such as increasing the maximum reduction rate currently restricted to 10% and including items with an increase in claims amount of more than 10% and KRW 5 billion to be subject to PVA negotiations, to be made by the first half of next year. Meanwhile, changes to the PVA system as a preferential measure for innovative new drugs that had been discussed may also likely be included in the final draft. The price reduction rate for innovative new drugs that are subject to PVA will be reduced if the same drug is subject to PVA three times in a row. Last year, the NHIS carried out an external research service on practical measures to improve Korea’s drug expenditure management system, and its result report was released in April. Results of the ‘A study on the performance of the Price-Volume Agreement System and measures on its improvement’ that Professor SeungJin Bae from Ewha Womans University's College of Pharmacy participated as the principal investigator, showed that the selection and management of drugs with large financial impact should be identified and that a more efficient operation of the system is necessary.
- Company
- The Key to Competitiveness is 'OS·Brain metastasis'
- by Oct 26, 2023 06:07am
- The combination therapy of major EGFR variant lung cancer treatments has yielded results at the annual conference of the European Society of Oncology (ESMO 2023). Combination therapy of Lexraza + Rybrevant has succeeded in improving major clinical evaluation indicators compared to Tagrisso monotherapy. Lexraza is a lung cancer treatment that targets the EGFR variant Exxon 19 and Exxon 21 L858R developed by Yuhan. We are confirming the possibility of a primary treatment for lung cancer in combination with Janssen's Exxon 20 target Rybrevant. Tagrisso, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, has released clinical results in which encephalon has been effective in lung cancer patients. Tagrisso is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), such as Leclaza, which is used to treat primary and secondary lung cancer with EGFR mutations. After the failure of third-generation TKI treatment, platinum-based chemotherapy, which is mainly used for secondary treatment, is being used in combination with Tagrisso to evaluate its effectiveness. Published clinical results showed that one side did not show overwhelming results. The overall survival (OS) data to be released at a later date and the effectiveness of brain transfer in patients have become important. Leclaza+Rybrevant Improves key evaluation indicators for Tagrisso therapy. At ESMO 2023 on the 23rd, the results of an interim analysis of the MARIPOSA Phase 3 clinical study evaluating the efficacy of Leclaza+Rybrevant combination therapy were released. The clinical trial was conducted in 1074 patients with EGFR variant locally advanced or metaplastic non-small cell lung cancer. The patient age (median) was 63 years old and Asian patients accounted for more than half (59%). Among them, the rate of brain transfer was 41%. Patients were randomly assigned to a 2:2:1 ratio for Leclaza+Rybrevant combination therapy, Tagrisso monotherapy, and Leclaza monotherapy. The primary evaluation variables included no-progress survival (PFS), and the secondary evaluation variables included the OS, PFS (PFS2) after the first subsequent treatment, and ORR. As a clinical result, the PFS (median) of the Leclaza+Rybrevant group was 23.7 months and the Lexa monotherapy group PFS was 18.5 months, which was longer than the 16.6 months recorded by the Tagrisso monotherapy group. The Leclaza+Rybrevant group was found to have a 30% lower risk of disease progression and death than the Tagrisso group. ORR showed similar numbers, with Leclaza+Rybrevant groups and Tagrisso monotherapy groups at 86% and 85%, respectively. In the interim OS analysis, the Leclaza+Rybrevant group showed a favorable tendency over the Tagrisso monotherapy group. PFS2 results show that the Leclaza+Rybrevant group had a 25% lower risk of disease progression or death compared to the Tagrisso monotherapy group. In terms of safety, EGFR and MET-related adverse reactions have been more commonly reported in the Leclaza+Rybrevant group. Level 3 adverse events were reported at 75% and 43% in the Leclaza+Rybrevant and Tagriso monotherapy groups, respectively, and serious adverse events were reported at 49% and 33%. The adverse events that led to death were similar at 8% and 7%. Presenters at Presidential Session 3 held on the 23rd. Yonsei Cancer Hospital Professor Cho Byeong-cheol (left) introduced the results of the MARIPOSA phase 3 clinical trial. Photo source = ESMO DAILY REPORT Professor Cho Byung-cheol of Yonsei Cancer Hospital, who was in charge of the presentation on this day, said, "Recraza + Libribant combination therapy was effective regardless of race or race. In particular, as favorable tendencies have been confirmed in the OS mid-analysis, Leclaza+Rybrevant has suggested the possibility of becoming a new standard treatment for the new EGFR variant primary treatment for non-small cell lung cancer.” In the case of Tagrisso, data from a follow-up study of the FLAURA2 clinic was released. In the FLAURA2 clinical study, PFS of Tagriso+Platinum-based chemotherapy was recorded at 29.4 months. In ESMO 2023, the results of a subgroup analysis of patients were released. The results of a study released on the 21st showed that the combination of Tagrisso + chemotherapy for patients had a stronger inhibitory effect on intracranial progression compared to Tagrizo monotherapy. The clinical trial included 557 patients with EGFR-positive metaplastic non-small cell lung cancer who had no previous experience in general therapy. Among them, there were 222 patients with brain war. Patients were assigned to the combination therapy group (279 people) and the monotherapy group (278 people), respectively. As a clinical result, intracranial ORR in the co-therapy group was 73%, similar to 69% for monotherapy. However, the complete response (cEAS) in the two was 59% in the co-use group and 43% in the monotherapy group. The median intra-two non-progress survival (PFS) assessed by the Independent Review Committee (BICR) was 30.2 months for the combination therapy group and 27.6 months for the monotherapy group. The risk of disease progression or death in combination therapy was found to be 42% lower. The key evaluation element of combination therapy, 'OS·brain transfer effect' Leclaza+Rybrevant, Tagrisso +, and chemotherapy all differed in PFS. The OS data was still immature, but favorable tendencies were observed for both combination therapies. As the PFS difference is not significant, the OS data that will be released in the future will be the key to becoming the primary treatment for EGFR mutations for non-small cell lung cancer. It is also noteworthy that the two combination therapies have an effect on patients. PATIENTS WITH CEREBRAL EMBRACTION INCLUDED 43% IN THE MARIPOSA CLINICAL AND 40% IN THE FLAURA2 CLINICAL. It is known that anticancer drugs fail to pass through the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) if the cancer has spread to the brain. Especially since encephaly occurs frequently in patients with lung cancer, the proportion of patients with epilepsy including epilepsy is emphasized in the two clinical trials that evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy. The utilization of Leclaza+Rybrevant, Tagrisso + chemotherapy is analyzed and effective data will play a decisive role in patients with OS and Brain metastasis, which will be released at a later date.
- Company
- Seo Jeong-jin, targets sales of 5 trillion won for new drugs
- by Kim, Jin-Gu Oct 26, 2023 06:06am
- Celltrion Group Chairman Seo Jeong-jin is explaining future plans at a press conference on the 25th Seo Jeong-jin, Chairman of Celltrion Group, presented a goal to increase global new drug sales to 5 trillion won by 2030, focusing on 'Zymfentra', which was recently approved as a new drug in the United States. Chairman Seo made this announcement at a press conference held at NH Investment & Securities in Seoul on the 25th. Previously, Celltrion set the group's total sales target of 12 trillion won in 2030. The plan is to increase sales by adding new drugs as well as existing biosimilars. Chairman Seo predicted that Zimfentra would play a pivotal role here. Zymfentra is the subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Remsima. On the 20th (local time), it received sales approval as a new drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previously, it was approved as a new formulation biosimilar in Europe, but in the United States, it took the route of new drug approval through a separate phase 3 clinical trial. Celltrion explains that since it has obtained approval as a new drug, it can set a higher sales price than existing biosimilars. Chairman Seo said, “We expect superior profits in the U.S. market compared to Europe, where RemsimaSC was previously approved as a biosimilar.” Chairman Seo said, "When RemsimaSC was sold in Europe, it was confirmed that 40% of patients who had previously used the intravenous formulation switched to the SC formulation within one year." He added, "If we apply this to patients in the United States, many patients will move to the SC formulation." “We expect that Zymfentra alone will be able to achieve global sales of 3 trillion won within 3 years,” he emphasized. He explained that he has also begun drug price negotiations with several insurance companies in the United States. It was expected that the drug price in the US market would be at the level of ‘competitive products’. He pointed out the competing product as Takeda Pharmaceutical's Entyvio. Entyvio is a treatment for autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In the United States, it was previously approved as an intravenous injection formulation, but recently a subcutaneous injection formulation was also approved. It is said to be similar to Jim Pentra in many ways. Chairman Seo predicted, “Negotiations with insurance companies began in earnest yesterday. Negotiations will be completed within the year,” and added, “The US price of Zympentra is expected to be similar to that of Entyvio, a competing product.” Chairman Seo said, “Next year, we will also conduct a comparative clinical trial with Entyvio,” and added, “Entyvio conducted a comparative clinical trial with Humira, but not with Remsima. The existing animal clinical trials yielded meaningful results.” Chairman Seo said, "In addition to Zympentra, we have four new drug platforms. The related pipelines amount to 20," and added, "We expect that there will be no problem with global new drug sales of 5 trillion won by 2030, centered on Zympentra." He emphasized.
- Policy
- Minister Cho will work to address shingles vaccine issue
- by Lee, Hye-Kyung Oct 26, 2023 06:06am
- The government responded that it would seek ways to ease the public burden in response to the request that shingles vaccines should be included in Korea’s National Immunization Program (NIP). Rep Young-Joo Kim of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed at the audit of the NA Health and Welfare Committee that was held on the 25th. She said, “There are medical institutions that charge up to KRW 400,000 for shingles prevention vaccine, whose supply price starts at KRW 8,400. In addition to adding the vaccines to NIP, we need to take measures such as a price disclosure system for suppliers.” According to the data Rep Kim received from the KDCA and HIRA, the average price of Zostavax Inj in 2022 was KRW 165,471, ranging from KRW 90,000 to up to KRW 400,000. In 2021, the average price of vaccination in SKYZoster was KRW 146,358. Its price ranged from KRW 40,000 to KRW 230,000, which is a sixfold difference. From 2021 to August of this year, the average supply price of SKYZoster was around KRW 77,000 every year. The places that received the vaccines at the highest price during this period were found to have received them at KRW 341,000, KRW 161,000, and KRW 150,000 in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Rep Kim said, “People are receiving shingle vaccinations like a lottery. The ex-factory price is being set randomly, and those who lack information are left to receive the vaccination for KRW 400,000,” requesting countermeasures. In relation to this, Minister of Health and Welfare Minister Kyoo-Hong Cho said, "We have been disclosing the price of non-reimbursed items first because it is difficult to control their price. We will investigate the cause of the sharp drop in price and the price difference. The issue of its reimbursement through NIP needs to be reviewed on its medical necessity and financial efficiency. It is difficult to say no, so we will seek ways to alleviate the public burden." HIRA President Jung-Gu Kang, said, “We have been disclosing the non-reimbursed prices of drugs, and will expand the disclosed items to more than 1,000 in the future. We will try to find other means (to disclose ex-factory prices).” Commissioner Young-Mee Jee of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said, “We are currently evaluating introducing shingles vaccine to NIP. We will apply it as soon as the results are available. If it is listed as an NIP drug, the method of purchasing the vaccine will also be improved and be priced appropriately.”
