Which hospitals can buy genuine bedaquiline drugs?

Bedaquiline is a new anti-tuberculosis drug used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and has been listed as a recommended first-line treatment option by the World Health Organization (WHO). The drug's importance has grown as rates of drug resistance in tuberculosis have increased in recent years. At present, bedaquiline has been officially launched in China and has been included in the national medical insurance directory. Patients can purchase genuine drugs through designated medical institutions and pharmacies. However, due to its strong professionalism and concentrated sales channels, patients are advised to go to a designated tuberculosis hospital or an infectious disease specialist hospital for consultation.

In mainland China, some tertiary hospitals and provincial tuberculosis prevention and control centers can already supply bedaquiline original drug, especially units with tuberculosis-specific outpatient clinics, such as Beijing Chest Hospital, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Guangzhou Chest Hospital, Sichuan Provincial Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Institute, etc. These hospitals usually have drug dispensing authority under the national tuberculosis management system and can provide medical insurance reimbursement support. Patients can obtain a prescription under the guidance of the local Center for Disease Control or the attending doctor, then go to a dispensing point to purchase it, and apply for a corresponding proportion of cost reduction according to the local medical insurance policy.

In terms of price, the original bedaquiline drug is priced relatively high in China, about more than 10,000 yuan per course of treatment. The actual burden on patients will be significantly reduced after medical insurance reimbursement, and the specific amount varies depending on the city and type of medical insurance. In order to reduce financial pressure, some places have also launched "tuberculosis drug assistance projects" or clinical trial medication pathways. Patients can apply for drug subsidies or free medication based on their condition and eligibility.

In addition to domestic channels, some patients will also pay attention to foreign versions of generic drugs. For example, bedaquiline generics have been launched in India. The price is relatively cheap, only about two to three thousand yuan. The efficacy is basically the same as that of the original drug. It is widely used in public health projects in countries with limited resources. However, it should be noted that overseas drugs have not been approved by China's NMPA and are considered overseas drugs. The risks of use and legality of the channels must be evaluated by doctors and carefully selected. Taken together, for Chinese patients, obtaining the original drug bedaquiline supported by medical insurance through regular hospitals is still the safest and controllable way of medication.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/