Is Asciminib/Axinib included in Medicare? The latest reimbursement policy in 2025

Asciminib, in China as Asciminib hydrochloride tablets (trade name: Scemblix, English name: Scemblix), was officially approved for marketing on May 14, 2025, for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in the chronic phase who have T315I mutation or are resistant to previous treatments. As a STAMP inhibitor targeting the BCR-ABL1 fusion protein, its mechanism innovation is different from traditional tyrosine kinase inhibitors, thus bringing new treatment options to patients.

Currently, Asnibu has just been approved for marketing in the country and has not yet entered the national medical insurance directory. According to China’s process for pharmaceuticals to enter medical insurance, new drugs must go through drug negotiation mechanisms, clinical economic evaluations, patient usage scale surveys and other procedures before they can enter the next year’s medical insurance negotiations. Therefore, as of July 2025, Assimini has not yet been included in the scope of medical insurance, and its medical insurance reimbursement ratio or price standards have not been announced.

Since it has not yet been included in the medical insurance, if patients need to use the drug at this stage, they usually have to pay for it at their own expense. Currently, the imported original research version is mainly circulating in the market, and the price is relatively high. According to quotations from overseas channels, the price of general specifications such as 40mg*60 tablets is around 40,000 yuan. The specific price will be affected by factors such as import links, exchange rate changes, and channel differences. Some patients also choose to obtain medicines through cross-border e-commerce, overseas pharmacies, etc., but they need to pay attention to the source and legality of the medicines.

With the accumulation of data on the use of Asnib in the Chinese market, if its clinical effect is stable, safe and cost-effective in health economics, it is expected to be included in the negotiation list in the adjustment of the medical insurance catalog in 2026 and obtain medical insurance coverage, thereby benefiting more patients.

Reference materials:https://www.novartis.com/our-products/pipeline/asciminib