What is the latest inclusion of serputinib/serpatinib in the medical insurance policy?

Selpercatinib is an innovative targeted drug targeting RET gene abnormalities. Its indications cover RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) RET-mutated medullary thyroid cancer as well as patients with RET-related tumors who are resistant or ineffective to other treatments. In RET-positive patients, RET fusion or mutation drives abnormal proliferation and survival of tumor cells. Traditional chemotherapy has limited effect on this type of tumor. However, cepretinib can block abnormal signaling pathways through precise targeting and achieve molecular targeted therapy.

Domestic original drugs are already on the market, but have not yet been included in the medical insurance catalog. This means that patients need to purchase the drugs at their own expense, which puts a certain amount of financial pressure on people who take drugs for a long time. When not covered by medical insurance, patients need to rely on hospital pharmacies or authorized drug dealers to obtain medicines. Treatment costs are high and the ongoing burden is high. In contrast, some overseas countries have included seputinib in medical insurance or insurance coverage, reducing the financial burden on patients and encouraging more patients to undergo RET gene testing for precise medication.

Clinically, doctors usually develop individualized treatment plans based on genetic testing results, patient tumor type and previous treatment history. Patients with RET-positive non-small cell lung cancer usually give priority to seputinib as first- or second-line targeted therapy; patients with RET-mutant thyroid cancer can also use it when standard treatment options have limited effects. Because the drug is an oral small molecule preparation, patient compliance is high, but hematology, liver and kidney function, and electrocardiogram still need to be monitored regularly to ensure drug safety.

In the future, with the accumulation of more domestic real-world data, as well as medical insurance negotiations and the launch of generic drugs, the possibility of seplutenib entering the medical insurance catalog will gradually increase. Once included in medical insurance, it will not only reduce patients' financial pressure, but also promote the popularization of RET gene testing and precision medication, giving more patients access to targeted treatments.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selpercatinib