With the launch of Boryung's hypertension treatment drug "Canav" (active ingredient: Pimasartan) generics scheduled for next month, health authorities announced that they will lower the price of Canav starting next month. Boryung has warned of legal action, arguing that the price reduction is unfair because the generics treat different diseases.
On the 25th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it revised the 'Drug Benefit List and Maximum Price Table' and will collectively reduce the prices of Boryung's hypertension treatment drug "Canav" and the combination drugs "Ducab" and "Canav Plus" starting July 1. The price of Canav 30 mg will decrease from 439 won to 307 won, 60 mg from 642 won to 450 won, and 120 mg from 758 won to 531 won, which is a 30% reduction. Ducab will be reduced by 21%, and Canav Plus will be reduced by 47%.
"Canav" is the first domestic new drug for hypertension developed by Boryung in 2010 and is the 15th domestically produced new drug. The treatment scope has expanded from the existing hypertension to include the reduction of proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes-related chronic kidney disease accompanied by hypertension by the end of 2020. Canav has dominated the domestic hypertension treatment market for 15 years. The various combination products derived from Canav, known as the Canav family, generated sales of 150.9 billion won last year, accounting for about 15% of Boryung's total sales.
However, with the expiration of the substance patent in 2023, domestic pharmaceutical companies began developing generics. Initially, generics of Canav, such as Dongkook Pharmaceutical's "Pharmamon Tablet," Daewoong Bio's "Kanaden Tablet," KOREA ARLICO PHARM's "Alkan Tablet," and Korea HuTex Pharmaceutical's "Hoonav Tablet," were planned for reimbursement launch from May, but Boryung's claim of invalidation of the generic launch postponed it by two months. This is because the generics do not include the additional proteinuria reduction efficacy that Canav has been approved for.
Boryung is opposing the Ministry of Health and Welfare's announcement. A company official noted, "The generic products have not received approval for the 'proteinuria reduction' indication, so they cannot completely replace Canav," adding, "Accordingly, the company plans to pursue legal action to protect its legitimate rights regarding the new drug."
If the price changes are implemented as per the Ministry's announcement starting July 1, confusion at pharmacies is inevitable. Complaints related to combination prescriptions or price differences may surge. Boryung is expected to file an injunction against the price reduction implementation with the Ministry as early as this week.