Tocilizumab price

Tocilizumab is an immunosuppressive drug sold under the brand names Actemra and others, and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (a severe form of arthritis in children) and COVID-19 . It is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that plays an important role in immune responses and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer. In June 2021, tocilizumab received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of COVID-19 in the United States. It was approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in the EU in December 2021 and in the United States in December 2022.

The original drug Tocilizumab has been launched in China and has been included in the medical insurance. Due to its short time on the market, it is limited to second-line treatment for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. After 3-6 months of traditional DMARDs treatment, the disease activity has decreased by less than 50%. Tocilizumab injection can only be used as directed by the doctor. Its price is about 8,600 yuan, which is relatively expensive. The price of the European version of tocilizumab, a generic drug listed overseas, is around RMB 14,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The ingredients and efficacy of the two drugs are basically the same. Currently, there are no generic drugs produced and marketed overseas, and patients can make their own choices.