Sanofi’s new biologic agent Dupixent (ingredient: dupilumab) for severe atopic dermatitis will get an insurance benefit from Jan. 1, as local patients desperately have hoped.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Monday held a meeting of the Health Insurance Policy Review Committee and approved the revised list of reimbursable drugs and the maximum reimbursement rates. The government set the maximum reimbursement for Dupixent at 710,000 won ($610.5) per tube.

Dupixent is the only biologic drug recommended for patients with severe atopic dermatitis whose symptoms are not controlled adequately by local or systemic immunosuppressive agents or who cannot use such treatments.

Compared to an alternative, Dupixent has a hefty price tag. However, due to the high social demand, the government selected it as the first drug to be applied to an extended risk-sharing agreement (RSA).

In negotiations with Sanofi, the government proposed three types – “initial reimbursement type” that the drugmaker reimburses for the initial-stage dose, “reimbursement type” that the drugmaker reimburses a certain proportion of the drug expenses to the National Health Insurance Service, and “the total amount limit type” that the government limits the total amount of reimbursement to secure the NHIS’ fiscal soundness.

Sanofi agreed on the proposal and successfully negotiated the price for Dupixent.

The Association of Patients with Severe Atopic Dermatitis expressed gratitude to member patients and government officials for working hard to get Dupixent reimbursable.

“We hope that the government could gradually ease the reimbursement criteria so that more patients could benefit from Dupixent treatment. Please make sure that patients who have used non-reimbursable Dupixent could get the insurance benefit,” the association said.