● SK chemicals Vimsk First Lacosamide-Based Anticonvulsant to Be Registered as a Reimbursable Drug in Korea
- Benefits Expected for Patients Through Official Healthcare Coverage
- Improved Dosage Convenience... First Generic Version of Number-One Seller
SK chemicals has recently secured unparalleled price competitiveness with their anticonvulsant (anti-epileptic medication) Vimsk, the first of its kind to be listed as a reimbursable drug in the Korean market.
SK chemicals announced on the first of this month that Vimsk, a generic version of the next-generation anticonvulsant Vimpat (lacosamide), had been registered for the first time domestically under the list of reimbursable (healthcare covered) drugs by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
As a result, Vimsk will receive insurance coverage benefits, a first among lacosamide-based medication in Korea including the original Vimpat tablet.
The medication is available in four dosages, with the 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg variants set to maximum amounts of ₩435, ₩696, ₩871, and ₩1,016 per tablet, respectively.
Given that the original product was sold at a relatively high price, Vimsk is expected to greatly ease the economic burden on target patients.
Vimsk, launched last October, is a generic version of the world`s number-one-selling anticonvulsant Vimpat, which acts to slowly inactivate sodium channels in brain neurons. Furthermore, because of its low interaction with other drugs, it`s possible to prescribe Vimsk in a combination with other existing drugs.
Unlike the original product which is only available in two dosages, Vimsk is available in four dosages, a marked improvement in convenience for affected patients.
Following the recent development, SK chemicals plans to inform hospitals throughout Korea about the benefits of Vimsk and emphasize its price competitiveness and differentiated dosages.
"We hope that the listing of Vimsk as a reimbursable drug will be an opportunity to raise the quality of life for epilepsy patients in Korea," said Kwang-hyeon Jeon, Head of SK chemicals Pharma Division.
South Korea`s anticonvulsant market was estimated to be ₩220 billion last year.
[Photo]
Vimsk, the first lacosamide-based anticonvulsant to be registered as a reimbursable drug in South Korea.
[Terminology]
* Terminology
Chronic seizures that occur even without any specific known causes (e.g., electrolyte imbalance, acid-base abnormality, uremia, alcohol withdrawal, severe sleep deprivation, etc.) in the body. [merged]
* Sodium channel
An ion pathway that plays a central role in the generation and transmission of excitations in neurons.