A blood cancer drug that took 7 years from approval to reimbursement is being removed from the market only 3 years since starting its sale in earnest. The company that sells the product has pointed to the termination of their agreement as to the cause of its market withdrawal, however, the analysis is that profitability has declined due to drug price cuts following the introduction of generic drugs earlier this year.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Eisai Korea withdrew its license for ‘Symbenda inj. (bendamustine hcl.)’ on the 27th. The withdrawal comes after 10 years since its approval in May 2011.

The drug is used to treat blood cancers such as lymphoma and chroni