HIRA Workshop Focuses on Anticancer Drug Reimbursement Standards
The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) of South Korea recently held a workshop for members of the 11th Cancer Disease Deliberation Committee (Cancer Review), aiming to enhance the rational decision-making process for anticancer drug reimbursement standards. The workshop, announced on March 25, 2026, focused on improving the efficiency of committee operations and ensuring expertise in deliberations.
Workshop Objectives and Training
The workshop provided training on several key areas, including:
- The functions and roles of the committee
- A review of the 10th committee’s performance and the operational direction for the 11th committee
- Standards and procedures for applying nursing care benefits for anticancer drug clinical research
Committee Composition and Term
The 11th Cancer Care Committee comprises 40 members, with a two-year term of office running from February 16, 2026, to February 15, 2028. These members are responsible for the professional deliberation of medical care benefit applications for drugs prescribed to cancer patients.
Commitment to Fair and Reasonable Deliberations
Ahn Jung-bae, Chairman of the committee, emphasized the increasing prevalence of cancer, noting that it affects approximately 1 in 20 people. He stated the committee’s dedication to contributing to public health and healthcare quality through fair and reasonable discussions based on their collective expertise. Medigate News
Recent Trends in Cancer Drug Reimbursement
South Korea has been actively evaluating the pricing and reimbursement of new anticancer drugs. A 2021 study by Kim S et al. Analyzed trends in listed anticancer drugs over the past three years, highlighting the complexities of balancing access to innovative treatments with cost-effectiveness. ISPOR
Recent Reimbursement Decisions
In January 2026, the HIRA raised the bar for new drug reimbursement approvals. Gilead Sciences Korea’s CAR-T therapy, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel), was the only new drug approved for reimbursement, specifically for treating adult patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) who have relapsed or are refractory after two or more lines of systemic therapy. Applications for expanded coverage of Yescarta and approvals for other drugs, including Janssen Korea’s Rybrevant (amivantamab), were rejected. Sedaily
in 2025, HIRA approved reimbursement for Ozempic, Hyal-Flex Injection, and Uplizna Injection, demonstrating a willingness to cover certain medications based on demonstrated value. HIRA
Challenges in Anticancer Drug Coverage
Recent reports indicate that the 10th Cancer Disease Review Committee denied coverage for several new cancer drugs, including Tepmetco, Pemazyre, Verzenio, and Tevimbra, with the exception of some chemotherapy drugs. Korea BioMed This underscores the ongoing challenges in securing reimbursement for innovative cancer treatments in South Korea.