Jeil Pharmaceuticals' 'Duglow,' a combination medication comprising an 'SGLT-2 inhibitor + Thiazolidinedione (TZD),' is poised for inclusion in the National Health Insurance coverage, slated for December. This development closely follows Boryung’s 'Trubuddy,' which combines dapagliflozin and pioglitazone, marking the second addition of such combinations. As per industry sources as of November 21st, the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is expected to finalize the reimbursement status for these pharmaceuticals through written deliberation. Reports indicate that Jeil Pharmaceuticals' Duglow is among the medications awaiting this decision.
The combination of DPP-4 inhibitors, dominating more than half of the existing diabetes drug prescription market, with SGLT-2 inhibitors in dual therapy is widely regarded as a safe approach without hypoglycemia concerns. Contrary to this, within the medical realm, there exists a consensus that the combination of TZD and SGLT-2 inhibitors might be equally, if not more, optimal compared to DPP-4 inhibitors.
TZD, acting as a potent agonist selectively targeting 'PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor)-gamma,' stands as the sole diabetes medication effectively addressing insulin resistance. Nonetheless, it accompanies side effects such as weight gain. Medical experts propose that the drawbacks, including weight gain, are offset by the class of SGLT-2 inhibitor drugs, thereby augmenting the blood sugar-lowering effects.
In response to this understanding, companies like Boryung, Jeil Pharmaceutical, and Yooyoung Pharmaceutical have formulated combinations involving pioglitazone from the TZD class and dapagliflozin from the SGLT-2 inhibitor class. While Boryung’s Trubuddy (10/15mg at $0.84) became eligible for reimbursement starting November 1st, it is anticipated that Jeil Pharmaceutical's Duglow will follow suit and be eligible for reimbursement effective December 1st, offered at a maximum price of $0.80, slightly lower than Trubuddy.
Furthermore, in the upcoming list of reimbursable medications, Hanmi Pharmaceutical's combination drug, Monterizine, designed for asthma, allergies, and rhinitis, containing montelukast and levocetirizine, is likely to secure inclusion in December. Notably, some first-generation medications like Daewoong Pharmaceutical's Montebizal, transitioning from capsules to tablets, received approval for reimbursement starting October 1st. While several products met the reimbursement criteria, others, meeting some standards, gained inclusion primarily based on their Drug Master File (DMF) qualifications.
The forthcoming additions to the reimbursable list encompass Hanwha Pharma's Singulien Tablets, HLB Pharma's Monterol Plus tablets, Samchundang Pharma's MonteQ Plus Tablets, Hyundai Pharmaceutical's Monkarizine Tablets, and Hana Pharma's Montero Plus Tablets. Hanwha Pharma's offering, as the designated company, is priced at $0.68, whereas the remaining items will be priced at $0.58.