Journal List > Infect Chemother > v.42(4) > 1035012

Kim and Kang: Current Usage and Prospect of New Antifungal agents in Korea

Abstract

The incidence of invasive fungal infections has been increased worldwide along with the increasing population at high risk for fungal infection. However, no data is available for the current status of usage of antifungal agents in Korea. We described the usage of antifungal agents including second-generation triazole and echinocandins that have been recently introduced. Data from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service were analyzed. Estimated total DDDs (daily defined doses)/1,000 patient-day of parenteral antifungal agents were 187.6 in 2008 and 143.2 in 2007 and annual rates of increase was 20% to 30% since 2004. Indeed, increased percentage of newer agents were observed. Changes of the treatment guidelines and the regulations for insurance coverage are considered to influence the trend of antifungal usage.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Estimated total DDDs (daily defined doses)/1,000 patient-day of parenteral antifungal agents were 187.6 in 2008 and 143.2 in 2007. Annual increment was 20% to 30% since 2004.
VCZ, voriconazole; CSFG, caspofungin; ICZ, itraconazole; FCZ, fluconazole; ABLC, amphotericin B lipid complex; AMB, amphotericin B
ic-42-209-g001
Figure 2
Tornado diagrams of sensitivity analysis on change in ICER (incremental cost- effectiveness ratio) for clinical success and survival after treatment. Adopted from; Jo CI, Jun S, Kim SI. An economic evaluation of anidulafungin in the treatment of invasive candidiasis in Korea. Presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 3rd Asia-Pacific Conference; September 7-9, 2008; Seoul, Korea
ic-42-209-g002
Table 1
Approved Dates, Product Types, and Indications of New Antifungal agents by KFDA (Korean Food and Drug Administration)a
ic-42-209-i001

CSFG, caspofungin; VCZ, voriconazole; MCFG, micafungin

aFebruary 1, 2009, Available from: URL:http://ezdrug.kfda.go.kr/kfda2

Table 2
Amount of New Antifungal agents Requested for Reimbursement to National Health Insurance Corporation by Year
ic-42-209-i002

CSFG, caspofungin; VCZ, voriconazole; MCFG, micafungin

Table 3
Amounts of Antifungal agents Imported in Korea by Year
ic-42-209-i003

CSFG, caspofungin; VCZ, voriconazole; MCFG, micafungin

aData were estimated to vials from the total sales presented from Pfizer.

bData of the forth quarter of 2008 were not included.

Table 4
Amounts (Numbers of Vials) of Parenteral Antifungal agents that are Requested for Reimbursement in Korea by Year
ic-42-209-i004

AMB, amphotericin B; ABCD, amphotericin B colloid; ABLC, amphotericin B lipid complex; ICZ, itraconazole; FCZ, fluconazole; VCZ, voriconazole; CSFG, caspofungin

Table 5
Measured DDDs (defined daily doses)/1,000 Patient-day and Percentage of Each Drug among Total Parenteral Antifungal Agents in Korea
ic-42-209-i005

AMB, amphotericin B; ABLC, amphotericin B lipid complex; ICZ, itraconazole; FCZ, fluconazole; VCZ, voriconazole; CSFG, caspofungin

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