Poexho®, an oncology drug developed by PSK Pharma, has been added to Russia's List of Vital and Essential Medicines (VESM). The decision was made at a recent meeting of the Russian Ministry of Health's commission responsible for compiling national medicine formularies.
The active ingredient in Poexho®, pegfilgrastim, is globally recognized as the gold standard for reducing the duration of neutropenia and the incidence of febrile neutropenia. The drug from PSK Pharma is the only pegfilgrastim biosimilar available in the country, as the original brand is not supplied to Russian patients. Currently, it is estimated that more than 55,000 people in Russia require this treatment.
PSK Pharma registered Poexho® in 2020. Previously, the absence of pegfilgrastim on the VESM list limited access to the effective and convenient method for preventing febrile neutropenia, particularly through the Essential Drug Provision (ONLS) program.
The commission’s recent decision guarantees the drug's availability through preferential supply programs. As a result, doctors will now be able to choose the optimal treatment approach based on the clinical situation and each patient's needs.
"It is encouraging to see the VESM list regularly updated to include a growing number of medicines necessary for the effective treatment of complex diseases. This is made possible by the collaborative efforts of relevant government agencies, businesses, medical professionals, and patient communities. This is an important step towards improving the quality of medical care and strengthening our country’s healthcare system," commented Evgenia Shapiro, General Director of PSK Pharma.