Where to buy capmatinib? Can the hospital purchase it directly?

Capmatinib as a targeted drug targeting MET exon 14 skipping mutations (METex14), has been approved at home and abroad for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). But many patients still encounter a question after diagnosis: Can capmatinib be purchased directly in the hospital?

In fact, the drug may be available in the pharmacies of some large hospitals in China, especially oncology hospitals or tertiary hospitals that have already carried out targeted therapy. If the patient's hospital does not have stock, it usually needs to be dispensed by the hospital pharmacy or designated drug supply channel after a doctor issues a prescription. Some hospitals may cooperate with specific pharmaceutical companies to help patients obtain drugs through designated drug purchase channels. Therefore, it is recommended that patients consult their attending doctor or hospital pharmacy to confirm how to purchase drugs.

For situations where it is impossible to purchase drugs directly in the hospital, patients can also obtain drugs through formal channels, such as domestic authorized drug distribution agencies, professional pharmacies or pharmaceutical company direct sales platforms. At the same time, some eligible patients may be able to participate in the Patient Assistance Program (PAP), which is provided by pharmaceutical companies or charities to help patients with financial difficulties obtain drug subsidies or purchase drugs at a discount.

It is worth noting that when purchasing capmatinib, patients must go through formal channels to avoid purchasing counterfeit drugs or drugs of questionable quality to ensure drug safety. In addition, because capmatinib is a prescription drug, patients must undergo genetic testing to confirm that they carry the METex14 mutation before taking the drug, and they must receive a prescription from a doctor before they can purchase the drug.

Reference materials:https://www.novartis.com/our-products/pipeline/capmatinib