Is avatrombopag maleate a Class B drug?

Avatrombopag is a representative oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist. Since entering the Chinese market, this drug has attracted widespread attention from hematologists and hepatologists. For many patients, in addition to efficacy and safety, the medical insurance policy and price of drugs are their core concerns.

At present, avatrombopag has been included in the national medical insurance directory and classified as a Class B drug. This means that although the drug can be partially reimbursed through medical insurance, it still needs to meet specific conditions for use, and the reimbursement ratio may differ in different regions. The attributes of Class B drugs determine that patients usually need to pay a certain proportion of the cost out of pocket, while the medical insurance payment part can significantly reduce the financial burden. For patients with thrombocytopenia who require long-term use, this policy undoubtedly lowers the treatment threshold.

From a price point of view, the common specifications of avatrombopag in the Chinese market are:20mg 15 tablets or 20mg 10 tablets. According to public channel information, the price per box is approximately RMB 7,000. Although the price is not cheap, it is still cost-effective overall considering its convenience of oral administration, stability of efficacy and potential value in replacing blood transfusions. Especially after coverage in the Class B medical insurance list, the actual payment costs have dropped significantly compared with the initial stage of drug launch, and more patients can benefit from this.

It should be pointed out that medical insurance reimbursement is not universally unconditional. Patients usually need to meet specific clinical diagnostic criteria when applying, such as chronic liver disease combined with thrombocytopenia and requiring relevant treatment, or diagnosed chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with insufficient response to first-line treatment. The inclusion of avatrombopag in medical insurance reflects the country’s emphasis on the treatment of thrombocytopenia and also improves accessibility for more patients.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB11995