Where to buy zolbetuximab in China and introduction to purchasing channels

Zolbetuximab (Zolbetuximab-clzb) is a monoclonal antibody targeting the Claudin 18.2 protein. It is mainly used to treat Claudin 18.2-positive advanced gastric cancer and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Currently, this drug has been approved for marketing in mainland China. However, due to its short time on the market, its distribution in pharmacies of major hospitals is not yet comprehensive. The specific price information has not yet been made public, and it has not yet been included in the national medical insurance catalog. Therefore, if patients need to purchase, it is recommended to contact a qualified oncology department or pharmacy of a tertiary hospital in advance to confirm whether it is in stock and the relevant drug purchase process.

In addition to obtaining it through domestic hospital channels, some patients will also consider seeking help through professional third-party pharmaceutical service agencies or international medical platforms. These platforms sometimes cooperate with domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies or designated pharmacies to assist patients in making prescription appointments, referring patients to specific hospitals for prescribing drugs, or purchasing overseas drugs. Since zotuximab is a prescription drug, patients generally need to be evaluated by a professional doctor before a relevant prescription can be issued and cannot be purchased by themselves or online.

In overseas markets, zotuximab is available in European and Japanese versions of the original drug. The common specifications are 100mg per box, and the price per box is about more than 7,000 yuan, which varies slightly depending on the country and exchange rate. These overseas versions are usually supplied through international pharmacies or cross-border medical channels, but due to issues such as transportation and customs clearance, the purchase cycle is long and a certain service fee is required. Patients who choose this method should do so through formal channels to ensure that the sources of drugs are legal and of reliable quality.

Currently, there are no generic drugs of zotuximab on the market, so the main sources of drugs that patients can choose are original drugs. Before waiting for the further implementation of the medical insurance policy or the launch of generic drugs, it is recommended that patients give priority to the formal treatment path led by doctors. At the same time, they can pay attention to the latest announcements from the hospital pharmaceutical department or the State Food and Drug Administration on the scope of use, price and medical insurance negotiation progress of the drug to make rational drug use decisions.

Reference materials:https://www.astellas.com/en/news/29401