Will durvalumab (durvalumab) be included in the medical insurance policy in 2025 and its interpretation

As an immune checkpoint inhibitor, durvalumab has been officially approved for marketing in China and is mainly used to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer and other tumor diseases. This drug achieves anti-cancer effects by blocking the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 and restoring the body's immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells. Although durvalumab is already on the market in China, as of 2025, it has not yet been included in the national medical insurance directory, and patients need to purchase it at their own expense.

Currently, the market price of durvalumab is relatively high, and common specifications include 120mg/2.4mL and 500mg/10mL. Domestic selling prices usually range from more than 4,000 yuan to more than 10,000 yuan, and the specific price will fluctuate depending on hospital procurement channels and regional differences. In comparison, the price of original research drugs in overseas markets is higher. A box of 120mg/2.4mL specifications may cost more than one thousand US dollars, and the price fluctuates greatly when converted into RMB. In addition, there is currently no generic version of durvalumab on the market, which is also an important reason for the relatively high price.

Regarding the prospects for inclusion in medical insurance, durvalumab, as an innovative immune drug that has been launched in recent years, has not yet entered the medical insurance catalog. However, with the accumulation of more clinical data and the gradual improvement of medical insurance policies, it is expected to be included in the next few years. Medical insurance coverage will significantly reduce patients’ financial burden and improve the accessibility and popularity of drugs. At present, patients and medical institutions need to pay close attention to the dynamics of national centralized drug procurement and medical insurance negotiations, and actively strive to be included in the scope of medical insurance as soon as possible.

In general, durvalumab is an important drug in the field of tumor immunotherapy in China, but its high price and not yet included in medical insurance limit its popularity among some patients. With the gradual adjustment of drug prices and the advancement of medical insurance policies, the drug will be used more widely in the future, benefiting more patients and promoting the improvement of tumor immunotherapy in my country.

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