According to horizonscan seventeen new muscle disease drugs will hit the market in 2023 and 2024. “A remarkably high number, because in previous Horizon scans they averaged five,” according to the Health Institute. The new drugs are, among others, for the treatment of people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, ALS and myasthenia gravis.
EU policy
According to Marcello Timmen, director of Muscle Diseases Netherlands, the European Union (EU) orphan drug policy is a possible cause of this increase. “Since 1999, the EU has had an orphan drug policy in place which should make it more attractive for pharmaceutical companies to develop medicines for small groups of patients. Now you can see it reflected in the number of medicines for muscle diseases. Also, many muscle diseases are medically necessary, so there’s a good chance doctors will prescribe a medicine. “This is also interesting for producers.” Many of the drugs visible on the Horizon scan are intended to stabilize muscle disease, not completely cure patients.
Estimates Care Institute
In the Horizon Scan, the Zorginstituut looks ahead to the medicines that are expected on the market and their possible impact. The Zorginstituut estimates the number of users expected in the new scan more accurately than before. With good estimates of patient numbers, the Institute of Health can better determine whether new drugs can be reimbursed directly from the basic health insurance package or should be closed.
