When will pemetinib be launched in China? How much does a box cost?

Pemigatinib is a targeted drug used to treat cholangiocarcinoma. It is mainly suitable for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma carrying FGFR2 gene rearrangements. The drug will be officially launched in the domestic market in 2024. Although it is already on the market, pemetinib is not currently covered by China's medical insurance, which makes its drug price relatively high and brings a considerable financial burden to patients.

In the domestic market, pemetinib is mainly marketed in the form of pemetinib tablets. The current specifications include 4.5mg*14 tablets and 9mg*14 tablets. The price range is roughly 2-5 RMB per box. Since the drug is not covered by medical insurance, patients need to bear the cost of the drug themselves. In addition, although the drug is already available in the domestic market, it may be difficult for many patients to afford long-term treatment due to its high price.

In overseas markets, the price of pemetinib is more expensive. For example, the price of 13.5mg*14 tablets can be as high as 7 more than RMB 70,000. Therefore, choosing to purchase in overseas markets may become an affordable option for some domestic patients. However, patients should pay attention to the legality and transportation safety of drugs when purchasing overseas to ensure that they are purchasing genuine drugs.

Considering the high price of pemetinib, multiple generic versions have appeared on the domestic and foreign markets. For example, the generic drug produced by Laos Lucius Pharmaceuticals in 4.5mg*14 tablet format is priced at only 700 yuan per box, which is more affordable than the original drug. Although these generic drugs are similar in ingredients to the original drugs, patients should still be cautious when choosing to ensure that the generic drugs they purchase meet relevant quality standards.

The domestic launch of pemetinib provides a new treatment option for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, but it is not included in medical insurance, resulting in high price and great financial pressure on patients. Patients can choose to purchase or consider generic drugs in overseas markets, but they still need to pay attention to the quality and legality of the drugs.

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