Another national petition has been submitted requesting coverage for Retevmo, a treatment for lung cancer caused by RET (REarranged during Transfection) gene mutations.

The recent petition demanding the expedited coverage of Retevmo was posted on the National Assembly's public petition board on Aug. 12. As of 11:00 a.m. Monday, 30,426 people agreed with the petition.

Retevmo is a targeted anticancer medication for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbors a RET gene mutation. In Korea, it received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in March 2022 as a treatment for NSCLC, medullary thyroid cancer, and thyroid cancer. However, after two attempts to secure reimbursement failed, it remains an unreimbursed medication.

The petitioner stated that his mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer caused by a rare RET gene mutation. He expressed a desire for her to receive treatment with Retevmo, but due to its non-reimbursed status, the monthly medication cost alone amounts to approximately 8 million won ($5,740).

“There is a drug available that could alleviate my mother's suffering right before our eyes and help her regain her precious daily life, but we cannot start treatment due to financial reasons,” the petitioner said.

He continued his appeal, saying, “Instead of Retevmo, my mother is undergoing standard chemotherapy, enduring a grueling process with her entire body. While it affects only 1-2 percent of all lung cancer patients, each person is someone's precious family member.”

“The national health insurance system is designed to help all citizens receive the best possible treatment when they are ill,” he said. “We hope the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service will positively review the application of Retevmo for national health insurance coverage.”