Hanmi Pharmaceutical has announced that its domestic weight loss drug, 'Epe,' will be priced at 129,800 won (approximately $130) for the first month. This price is about half that of the initial dosage of the global competitor 'Mounjaro,' indicating a significant price competition in the domestic weight loss drug market.
On October 15, the medical community reported that Hanmi Pharmaceutical held an internal distribution policy meeting to finalize the initial supply price for Epe. The supply prices for different dosages of Epe, which is administered once a week, are reported to be 24,200 won for 2 mg, 40,700 won for 4 mg, 57,200 won for 6 mg, 69,300 won for 8 mg, and 74,800 won for 10 mg.
Epe is designed to be administered in a step-up regimen, starting with 2 mg for two weeks and then 4 mg for another two weeks, with the dosage gradually increasing each month. This means the total supply cost for the first four weeks will be 129,800 won.
For subsequent four-week supplies, the costs are projected to be 228,800 won for the 6 mg dosage, 277,200 won for the 8 mg dosage, and 299,200 won for the maintenance dosage of 10 mg.
The first-month supply price of Epe is about half of the four-week supply price of the lowest dosage of Mounjaro, which is approximately 270,000 won. It is also about 80,000 won lower than the four-week supply price of Novo Nordisk's 'Wegovy' at the initial dosage, which is around 210,000 won.
Considering distribution margins and the margins for medical institutions and pharmacies, it is anticipated that the actual out-of-pocket cost for patients in the first month could range from 140,000 to 200,000 won. The retail price for the highest dosage is expected to be in the low 300,000 won range, but still lower than Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Epe is classified as a non-reimbursable specialty drug. A representative from Hanmi Pharmaceutical stated, "We set the price with a focus on ensuring patient accessibility, in line with our goal of providing a new weight loss treatment option," adding that the supply price does not equate to the final cost borne by patients.
Industry analysts suggest that Epe's low-cost strategy could attract patients who have previously abandoned or discontinued weight loss treatments due to financial burdens. However, with the ongoing push for health insurance coverage for Wegovy, there are concerns that the price gap for eligible patients may narrow or even reverse.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical plans to supply Epe to the domestic market as early as this month.
On October 15, the medical community reported that Hanmi Pharmaceutical held an internal distribution policy meeting to finalize the initial supply price for Epe. The supply prices for different dosages of Epe, which is administered once a week, are reported to be 24,200 won for 2 mg, 40,700 won for 4 mg, 57,200 won for 6 mg, 69,300 won for 8 mg, and 74,800 won for 10 mg.
Epe is designed to be administered in a step-up regimen, starting with 2 mg for two weeks and then 4 mg for another two weeks, with the dosage gradually increasing each month. This means the total supply cost for the first four weeks will be 129,800 won.
For subsequent four-week supplies, the costs are projected to be 228,800 won for the 6 mg dosage, 277,200 won for the 8 mg dosage, and 299,200 won for the maintenance dosage of 10 mg.
The first-month supply price of Epe is about half of the four-week supply price of the lowest dosage of Mounjaro, which is approximately 270,000 won. It is also about 80,000 won lower than the four-week supply price of Novo Nordisk's 'Wegovy' at the initial dosage, which is around 210,000 won.
Considering distribution margins and the margins for medical institutions and pharmacies, it is anticipated that the actual out-of-pocket cost for patients in the first month could range from 140,000 to 200,000 won. The retail price for the highest dosage is expected to be in the low 300,000 won range, but still lower than Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Epe is classified as a non-reimbursable specialty drug. A representative from Hanmi Pharmaceutical stated, "We set the price with a focus on ensuring patient accessibility, in line with our goal of providing a new weight loss treatment option," adding that the supply price does not equate to the final cost borne by patients.
Industry analysts suggest that Epe's low-cost strategy could attract patients who have previously abandoned or discontinued weight loss treatments due to financial burdens. However, with the ongoing push for health insurance coverage for Wegovy, there are concerns that the price gap for eligible patients may narrow or even reverse.
Hanmi Pharmaceutical plans to supply Epe to the domestic market as early as this month.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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