Biological drug costs pose a major economic burden for psoriasis patients

Patients battling psoriasis face severe economic difficulties due to the costs of biological drugs, which reach hundreds of millions of VND annually. The National Hospital of Dermatology has recommended expanding health insurance coverage so that patients can more easily access these advanced treatment methods.

Patients like TQH, a 35-year-old living in Hanoi, require biological drug therapy due to chronic psoriasis and concomitant psoriatic arthritis. Treatment expenses exceeding 100 million VND annually constitute a sustainable financial burden for patients. Similarly, patients with limited economic means are forced to turn to alternative methods that are more affordable but not as effective as biological drugs.

Dr. Hoang Thi Phuong, Head of the Autoimmune and Psoriasis Specialty Group at the National Hospital of Dermatology, stated that out of 6,700 registered psoriasis patients at the hospital, only 560 are able to use biological drugs. The hospital administration has made an official proposal to increase insurance support from 50% to 70% in order to increase access to this treatment.

Evaluation: The fact that treatment costs are indexed to patients' economic situations poses an obstacle to medical advancements turning into societal benefit. Within the scope of World Psoriasis Day on October 29, the hospital aims to raise awareness by offering free examinations and consultation services between October 26 and October 30, 2026.