Boryeong Launches Dukaro, a Combination Therapy for Hypertension

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Boryung Pharmaceutical recently launched 'Ducaro' (photo), which contains three active ingredients?Kanarb (active ingredient: Pimasartan), Amlodipine, and Rosuvastatin?in a single pill, available in four different dosages.

This medication is a triple combination therapy for hypertension and dyslipidemia, combining an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) class antihypertensive Pimasartan, a calcium channel blocker (CCB) class antihypertensive Amlodipine, and a statin class dyslipidemia treatment Rosuvastatin in a fixed-dose combination. Ducaro is available in dosages of 30/5/5 mg, 30/5/10 mg, 60/5/5 mg, and 60/5/10 mg for Pimasartan, Amlodipine, and Rosuvastatin respectively.

Ducaro was developed for patients with hypertension who have not reached target blood pressure with single-agent antihypertensive therapy and who also have accompanying dyslipidemia. The company explained that by combining three active ingredients for treating hypertension and dyslipidemia into one pill, patient medication adherence is improved. The product name combines Kanarb and Amlodipine combination 'Ducarb' with the dyslipidemia treatment 'Rosuvastatin.' The intuitive naming allows both prescribing doctors and patients to easily understand the product information from the name alone.

According to statistics from the Korean Society of Hypertension, the current estimated number of hypertensive patients in South Korea is about 11 million. Among them, approximately 61% are aware of their hypertension and are undergoing treatment, and about 49% of those treated are also receiving treatment for dyslipidemia. Due to factors such as population aging, diet, genetics, and stress, the prevalence of chronic diseases like hypertension and dyslipidemia is expected to continue increasing.

The domestic market for triple combination therapies for hypertension and dyslipidemia includes Hanmi's Amozalton Q, Ildong's Telostop Plus, and Daewoong's Olomax. Total prescription sales increased from around 3.1 billion KRW in 2018 to 13.7 billion KRW the following year. Boryung Pharmaceutical's Kanarb family includes Kanarb monotherapy, Kanarb Plus (Kanarb and diuretic combination), Ducarb (Kanarb and Amlodipine combination), Tubero (Kanarb and Rosuvastatin combination), and Ducaro (Kanarb, Amlodipine, and Rosuvastatin triple combination).

Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of Boryung Pharmaceutical, said, "The Kanarb family surpassed 80 billion KRW in prescription sales last year, proving its excellent efficacy and safety in the antihypertensive market. Ducaro will be a good treatment option for the increasing number of patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia."