Is cabozantinib already included in medical insurance? Analysis of medical insurance reimbursement ratio and patient out-of-pocket expenses

Cabozantinib (Cabozantinib) is currently not on the market in China, so patients cannot purchase the drug directly through domestic channels. Since it is not registered in China and included in medical insurance, if patients need to use cabozantinib, they usually need to purchase it through regular overseas channels.

The overseas original drug of cabozantinib is relatively expensive. In markets such as Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Turkey, the price of cabozantinib usually ranges from more than 20,000 yuan to more than 50,000 yuan. The specific price will vary according to different markets and drug specifications. For example, the price of the European version of the original drug is relatively high, while the price in other regions may be relatively low. But even so, this price is still a high burden for most patients.

Considering the high price of original drugs, some patients may choose to purchase generic drugs. Generic drugs of cabozantinib are already on the market in places such as Laos and Bangladesh. The price of these generic versions is significantly lower than that of the original drug, usually ranging from more than 500 yuan to more than 1,000 yuan. The ingredients of generic drugs are basically the same as those of original drugs, and patients can choose a suitable purchasing channel based on their personal financial situation.

At present, cabozantinib has not been officially launched in China and therefore cannot be included in the domestic medical insurance system. This means that even if patients choose to purchase the overseas version, they will not be able to enjoy reimbursement from Chinese medical insurance. This will result in full out-of-pocket costs for the patient and relatively high costs.

Since cabozantinib is not covered by medical insurance, patients must bear the full cost of the drug when they need to purchase it through overseas channels. Therefore, when choosing drugs, patients should weigh whether to purchase original drugs or generic drugs based on their own financial situation, and ensure that they purchase drugs through formal channels to avoid buying fake and shoddy products. Patients should also communicate with their doctors to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medication use.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabozantinib