New Drug for Myelofibrosis Covered by National Health Insurance... Expanded Insurance Coverage for Infertility Diagnostic Tests and Medications

Price Increase for Magmil and Others... Effective from June

Starting next month, the coverage scope for contrast agents used in hysterosalpingography to determine infertility will be expanded. Health insurance coverage will be applied to a new drug for the treatment of myelofibrosis, and the prices of compounded constipation treatments will be increased.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 31st that it will implement measures such as expanding insurance drug coverage to improve access to treatment for severe diseases and ensure the smooth supply of essential medicines.

First, among the radiographic contrast agents used in hysterosalpingography, the coverage will be expanded to include a drug (brand name Lipiodol Ultra Fluid) with lipophilic properties, which is considered to help fertility compared to the existing water-soluble agents. Additionally, the scope of first-line treatment for the high-cost injectable drug (Tremfier Prefilled Syringe) used for severe palmoplantar pustulosis, which frequently occurs in women, will be expanded to include methotrexate, thereby broadening insurance coverage for women of childbearing age.

Along with this, 'Inrebic,' a treatment for splenomegaly and symptom-related issues caused by myelofibrosis, will receive health insurance coverage as a new drug. Myelofibrosis is a rare blood cancer in which bone marrow tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue due to abnormal cell populations, reducing its ability to produce blood. This is expected to increase treatment opportunities in a situation where no drugs are available after first-line therapy. Until now, myelofibrosis patients have borne an annual out-of-pocket medication cost of about 58 million KRW, but with this coverage, the annual cost per patient can be reduced to 2.9 million KRW.

Magnesium hydroxide-based compounded constipation treatments (such as Magmil, from three companies and three products), mainly prescribed for constipation in elderly and chronic disease patients but recently unstable in supply, will have their insurance drug prices increased considering their essential role in patient treatment. However, a condition has been set to produce and supply at least 603 million tablets over the next year. Additionally, production costs will be compensated for seven items among exit-prevention medicines, including antidotes for pesticide poisoning, local anesthetics, and antiemetics for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated, "We expect that expanding coverage for severe disease treatments will improve patient access and alleviate economic burdens. For essential health insurance drugs necessary for patient treatment, appropriate cost compensation will help ensure a stable supply."