COVID-19 Treatment 'Remdesivir' Costs 3.74 Million KRW for General Patients in the US

Private Medical Insurance Pays $520 Per Bottle
Six Days of Treatment Require Six Bottles

Seoul National University Hospital is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of administering remdesivir, recognized as a treatment for COVID-19, together with the anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The price of Remdesivir, recognized as a treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the United States and other countries, has been set at $390 to $520 per vial locally, drawing attention to the supply situation in South Korea. Although no specific decisions have been made yet regarding the quantity or price available for supply domestically, and opinions differ on its therapeutic effectiveness, as it remains the only treatment so far, it is expected to influence the pricing of future treatments.

According to foreign media including CNBC on the 29th (local time), the U.S. pharmaceutical company Gilead has set the price at $380 per vial for public health insurance and $520 per vial for private health insurance. Considering that typically six vials are used over six days to treat COVID-19 patients, local media anticipate that hospitals will charge private insurance holders approximately $3,120 (about 3.74 million KRW).

It is uncertain whether this cost will be directly applied in South Korea. Generally, drug prices are determined comprehensively based on each country's approval status and insurance system. Since it has not yet been clearly decided whether the drug will be imported domestically and the insurance system differs significantly from that of the U.S., it is difficult to conclude the actual domestic supply price or secured quantity. The quarantine authorities applied for special importation based on opinions from COVID-19 medical staff, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, responsible for drug approval, approved it earlier this month. A Ministry of Food and Drug Safety official stated, "Supply negotiations are ongoing among the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, related ministries, and the manufacturer, and a conclusion is expected soon."

Even if quantities are secured for domestic patients, widespread use is not expected. The U.S. FDA approved this treatment mainly because it was recognized to reduce the hospitalization period for severe patients rather than cure the disease or reduce mortality. While it would be useful if patient numbers surged and hospital beds were insufficient, the health authorities judge that the current domestic situation is not that urgent.

In fact, even if Remdesivir is used for patients, about 80% of the treatment cost is covered by health insurance, and the remaining 20% is paid by government or local government funds, so patients do not actually pay out of pocket. The Central Clinical Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which treated COVID-19 patients domestically, recommends administering Remdesivir first for five days only to severe patients requiring oxygen therapy, with a possible five-day extension depending on the patient's condition. According to quarantine authorities, as of the previous day, there are 32 severe or critically ill patients in South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.