As Novo Nordisk seeks health insurance coverage for its obesity treatment drug Wegovy, Hanmi Pharmaceutical is expected to launch its domestic obesity medication Epe, intensifying price competition in the obesity treatment market.
On October 12, the pharmaceutical industry reported that Novo Nordisk Korea submitted a request for a health insurance reimbursement decision for Wegovy to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The company aims to improve treatment accessibility for patients with severe obesity and accompanying conditions.
Wegovy is used for weight management in patients who are overweight or have conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular diseases. It can also be administered to adolescents aged 12 and older.
There have been ongoing criticisms that the domestic retail price of Wegovy is excessively high compared to major countries like Japan and China. In Japan, the supply price for Wegovy and another drug, Maunzaro, is approximately 10,000 yen (about 84,000 won) for the lowest dosage. In contrast, the same dosage in South Korea is priced between 200,000 and 300,000 won.
A representative from Novo Nordisk stated, "Since the launch of Wegovy, we have been working to improve the treatment environment so that many patients with obesity can receive appropriate care. This application is part of that effort."
If health insurance coverage is granted for Wegovy, it could reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients. However, it remains uncertain whether the coverage will be implemented.
In related news, Hanmi Pharmaceutical is in the final stages of determining the supply price for Epe. According to Yonhap News, the company is carefully considering the pricing due to Epe's significance as a domestic obesity medication. The pharmaceutical industry anticipates that the supply price for a four-week supply of Epe will be in the 100,000 won range for the lowest dosage.
A Hanmi Pharmaceutical representative commented, "There is a lot of speculation in the media and online, which makes the price determination challenging. We will set the supply price by comprehensively considering market conditions, the clinical value of the product, and supply circumstances."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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