Is defibrotide included in medical insurance?

Is defibrotide included in medical insurance? On March 30, 2016, the FDA approved Defitelio® (defibrotide sodium) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also known as sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS), renal or pulmonary dysfunction following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) is one of the serious complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and the mortality rate in patients with severe VOD can be as high as 100%. Defibrotide is a single-stranded oligonucleotide mixture that has anti-thrombotic and fibrinolytic effects. In recent years, multiple clinical research results have shown that defibrotide is a safe and effective drug for preventing and treating VOD after HSCT.

The recommended dose of Defibrotide for adult and pediatric patients is 6.25 mg/kg given every 6 hours as a 2-hour intravenous infusion. The dose should be based on the patient's baseline weight, which is defined as the patient's weight before the HSCT preparation protocol. Defibrotide was administered for a minimum of 21 days. If signs and symptoms of hepatic VOD have not resolved after 21 days, continue defibrotide until resolution of VOD or up to a maximum of 60 days.

Defibrotide may enhance the pharmacodynamic activity of antithrombotic/fibrinolytic agents such as heparin or alteplase. Concomitant use of defibrinoside with antithrombotic or fibrinolytic agents is contraindicated due to increased risk of bleeding.

Defibrotide is not on the market in my country, and it is not included in my country’s medical insurance. Patients can only purchase defibrotide from abroad. It is understood that the price of defibrotide is about $28,000. It can be purchased in some hospitals in Hong Kong. Due to the different medical insurance policies between mainland China and Hong Kong, mainland medical insurance cannot be used in Hong Kong. Patients need to buy it at the original price. In addition, patients can also consult the medical companion travel service for specific purchase information.