DPP-IV Inhibitors Are Prescribed More Commonly in South Korea Than in China for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, Accordin

Interviewed Payers in China Believe Januvia and Onglyza Have a Good Chance of Being Added to the National Reimbursement Drug List, According to a New Report from Decision Resources

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are prescribed more commonly in South Korea than in China, and in earlier lines of therapy, according to surveyed physicians in these countries. At the time the survey was conducted, two such oral agents were available in South Korea (Merck’s Januvia and Novartis’s Galvus), while only Januvia was available in China.

Decision Resources’ new Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum report entitled Oral Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes - Physician and Payer Perspectives on the Dynamics in the Chinese and South Korean Markets explores the implications of the fact that DPP-IV inhibitors do not currently appear on China’s National Reimbursement Drug List (last updated in 2009, prior to the launch of any drug from this class) and therefore experience very low uptake. And although Januvia and Galvus are reimbursed by South Korea’s National Health Insurance, hefty patient copays are required and prescribing restrictions apply. Surveyed clinicians in both South Korea and China most commonly cite out of pocket expenses as the reason they don’t prescribe DPP-IV inhibitors and for the discontinuation of treatment with these drugs.

“In South Korea, where both Januvia and Galvus are available, surveyed physicians prescribe Januvia more widely,” said Decision Resources Analyst Jing Wu. “Interviewed payers believe this is partly due to Merck’s more aggressive marketing of Januvia versus Novartis’s marketing of Galvus.”

The vast majority of clinicians in both countries believe there is a need for additional DPP-IV inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca’s Onglyza launched in both China and South Korea in 2011 after the survey was fielded. By the end of 2013, Galvus will be available in China and Boehringer Ingelheim/Eli Lilly’s Tradjenta is expected to launch in South Korea. Januvia will continue to be the lead DPP-IV inhibitor at the end of 2013, according to surveyed clinicians.

The report also finds that interviewed payers in China believe Januvia and Onglyza have a good chance of being added to the National Reimbursement Drug List when it is updated (interviewed payers expect this to be in 2013), but they are less confident about later-to-market Galvus, as they think physicians and patients will not be familiar enough with this agent to lobby for its inclusion. Additionally, interviewed payers in South Korea think new DPP-IV inhibitors will be reimbursed under the National Health Insurance in their country, but they expect that price negotiations will take many months.

About Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum

Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum is the industry’s only syndicated primary market research product that includes insights from both physicians and payers to get a true sense of how both parties shape key emerging markets. Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum offers analysis of China, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico. Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum enables drug developers to understand how payer policy actually impacts prescribing practices in the real world. By drawing on insights from physicians and payers, Emerging Markets Physician & Payer Forum pinpoints key market access levers and barriers that highlight what will drive and/or restrict a brand’s performance, so that drug developers can invest in the most appropriate market access solutions.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.

About Decision Resources Group

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KEYWORDS:   United States  Asia Pacific  North America  China  Massachusetts  South Korea

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Health  Pharmaceutical  Diabetes  General Health

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