SK Chemicals launches uremia itching treatment tablet

SK Chemicals said on Monday that it has launched Remitch in orally disintegrating tablets, a treatment for intractable uremic pruritus (uremia itching) for patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Remitch (active ingredient: nalfurafine) is the only prescription drug available in South Korea for the treatment of uremic pruritus introduced by SK Chemicals from Japan's Toray Industries in 2016.

The orally disintegrating tablet is a change from the existing soft capsule form and can be easily dissolved with saliva without water, and is useful for elderly patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or for patients with water intake restrictions, the company explained.

In particular, hemodialysis patients need to remove body fluids through hemodialysis, so the company expects it to be useful for those patients whose water intake is restricted.

"Patients undergoing hemodialysis are already suffering from numerous intractable diseases. With the launch of orally disintegrating Remitch tablets, I hope it could help reduce the pain and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from the uremia itching disease," said Park Hyeon-seon, head of SK Chemicals' Pharma Planning Department.

Write to Ji-Hyun Lee at bluesky@hankyung.com