"Expansion of Biosimilar Distribution Needed, Government Incentive Policies Urgently Required"

Calls for Expanding Biosimilar Distribution
Kim Kyungah of Samsung Bioepis Stresses the Need for Broader Access
Lee Jaemyung: "No Need to Insist on Expensive Drugs... The Government Must Address This"

In response to a suggestion that the domestic distribution of biosimilars (biopharmaceutical generics) should be expanded, President Lee Jaemyung emphasized, "There is no need to insist on expensive drugs. This is an issue the government must address through institutional measures."

Kim Kyunga, President of Samsung Bioepis, is asking a question to President Lee Jae-myung at the Bio Innovation Forum held on the 5th at the Songdo Convention Center in Incheon. Photo by KTV YouTube

On September 5, at the "K-Bio: Accelerating Innovation" forum held at the Songdo Convention Center in Incheon, President Kim Kyungah of Samsung Bioepis stressed the need to expand the distribution of biosimilars, stating, "Biosimilars provide patients with more diverse treatment options and open up opportunities for treatment at less than half the price of original drugs."

President Lee, who attended the forum, responded to President Kim's request by saying, "There has long been a debate about why only original drugs are prescribed when less expensive alternatives are available. There is no reason for doctors to insist on expensive drugs with the same efficacy, but it is difficult for patients to be aware of this. This could be considered an irrationality, and it is a problem the government should solve through institutional measures."

President Kim pointed out, "For patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, annual treatment costs exceed 400 million won per patient, but with the introduction of biosimilars, the cost has been reduced to less than half. However, the domestic distribution rate is still lower compared to the United States, Europe, and Japan. Without government-level incentive policies, it is difficult for doctors to switch patients to biosimilars if it causes inconvenience." She also suggested introducing a system that provides prescription incentives to doctors, as is done in the United Kingdom.

President Lee Jae-myung is responding to a question from Kim Kyungah, President of Samsung Bioepis, at the Bio Innovation Forum held at the Songdo Convention Center in Incheon on the 5th. KTV YouTube

Oh Yu-kyoung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated, "I understand that phase 3 clinical trials for biosimilars require significant time and cost. We are currently discussing with regulatory agencies in Europe and the United States ways to simplify data review within the scope of safety. A public-private consultative body to discuss this will be established in September." Minister of Health and Welfare Chung Eun-kyung said, "It is true that doctors tend to prefer original drugs," and added, "We will consider ways to promote alternative prescriptions during the process of institutional reform."

Biosimilars are on average 30 to 50 percent less expensive than original drugs, but their domestic distribution rate remains low. The reasons include conservative prescribing practices among doctors, low awareness among patients, and the lack of an incentive system.