Is Eltrombopag currently covered and reimbursed by medical insurance?

Eltrombopag is an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist, mainly used to treat chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), severe aplastic anemia (SAA) and thrombocytopenia associated with certain chronic liver diseases. The drug has shown good clinical results in the treatment of hematological diseases. As the number of users gradually increases, the price of drugs and medical insurance reimbursement policies have become issues of great concern to patients.

At present, Eltrombopag has been officially launched in China and has been included in the national medical insurance directory. This means that patients who meet relevant indications can be reimbursed through medical insurance at designated medical institutions and pharmacies, which greatly reduces the burden of medication. After being covered by medical insurance, the domestic selling price of eltrombopag has dropped significantly. The general price range ranges from one or two thousand yuan to four or five thousand yuan. The specific cost needs to be calculated based on the dosage specifications and local medical insurance reimbursement policies. It is recommended that patients go to the local hospital pharmacy to consult the latest price and medical insurance reimbursement ratio.

In addition to the original drugs sold in the Chinese market, there are multiple versions of eltrombopag available overseas. The original drug produced by Novartis in India has two specifications: 25mg 14 tablets and 50mg 14 tablets. The price of the 25mg specification is around 1,700 yuan, while the latest price of the 50mg specification is less than 3,000 yuan. These versions are basically consistent with the domestic original drugs in terms of drug quality and efficacy, and some patients will also obtain them through overseas channels so that they can make treatment arrangements based on their own financial capabilities.
In addition, there are many generic versions of eltrombopag on the market, such as the Laos, Indian and Bangladeshi versions. The ingredients of these generic drugs are consistent with the original drugs, and the price is usually only a few hundred yuan, which is a great economic advantage for patients who take the drug for a long time. However, when choosing generic drugs, patients should make sure to purchase them through formal channels to avoid buying fake drugs or inferior products, and should conduct treatment under the guidance of a doctor to ensure drug safety and therapeutic effect. Overall, eltrombopag has been included in medical insurance, and patients’ medication accessibility and affordability have been greatly improved.
Reference: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB06210