How much does a course of pemetinib/pemetinib cost?

Pemigatinib is a targeted oral drug targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) mutations. It is mainly used to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) carrying FGFR2 fusions or rearrangements. It is also suitable for patients with certain myeloid or lymphoid system malignancies with FGFR1 rearrangements. The drug, developed by Incyte, is the first FGFR inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, bringing new treatment hope to this type of patients with specific genetic mutations. At the standard dose, it is recommended to use 13.5mg once a day, taking the drug for 14 days and then stopping the drug for 7 days, forming a 21-day treatment cycle; in the treatment of some hematological tumors, the drug can be continued to be taken every day until the disease progresses or the adverse reactions are intolerable.

Regarding the cost of treatment, the cost of pemetinib varies greatly depending on the source, purchase channel and specification of the drug. The main specifications of the original drugs currently on the market in mainland China are 4.5 mg 14 tablets and 9 mg 14 tablets. The price range is roughly RMB 20,000 to 50,000 yuan. If calculated based on the daily recommended dose of 13.5 mg, the monthly treatment cost may be more than 60,000 yuan. In addition, this drug has not yet been widely included in the medical insurance catalog, which imposes a heavy financial burden on ordinary patients.

It is worth mentioning that generic versions of drugs in some Asian countries are gradually gaining attention. For example, the generic version produced by Lucius Pharmaceuticals in Laos may be sold for as low as about 700 yuan per box of 4.5mg*14 tablets. Such generic drugs claim to be equivalent to the original drugs in terms of active ingredients and efficacy. However, since they have not yet been formally approved in China, their safety and effectiveness still pose certain risks in the absence of local supervision. Therefore, if patients consider using generic drugs, it is recommended that they make careful decisions after evaluating the pros and cons under the guidance of a professional doctor.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB15102