Which formal channels can safely purchase Erdafitinib in China?

Erdafitinib has been officially launched in China, but the supply time is short. It is currently mainly concentrated in the pharmacies of some tertiary hospitals and the pharmaceutical departments of hospitals with oncology qualifications. If patients need to purchase it domestically, they usually need to go to a cancer center that has a reserve of FGFR targeted therapy drugs, such as large provincial cancer hospitals, general hospital oncology pharmacies, etc., and make formal purchases through hospital prescriptions. However, since the drug has not yet been included in medical insurance and procurement channels are still gradually expanding, some hospitals may not have stable inventory yet. Patients can call in advance to inquire whether the drug is in stock before going to the hospital.

For patients who are temporarily unable to buy erdafitinib, another relatively reliable and formal way to obtain it in China is through the "special approval channel for imported drugs" or the "clinically urgently needed drug registration channel" of some urban medical institutions. These channels are mainly handled by the hospital's pharmacy department or international medical department. After patients provide prescriptions and medical records, the hospital helps order original drugs from official channels in Hong Kong, Macao or overseas. Although this type of method has a more rigorous process, it can ensure that the source of drugs is regular and the quality is traceable. It is suitable for patients who are in urgent need of medication and have strict requirements on drug quality.

If patients choose overseas channels, the most common one is the original version of erdafitinib purchased from legal pharmacies in Hong Kong. Currently, the price in Hong Kong pharmacies is generally more than 20,000 yuan. The medicines are officially listed and genuine, and their traceability information, batch numbers and packaging can be verified, making them a relatively safe and reliable choice. Patients can purchase through qualified cross-border medical service institutions, but it is not recommended that individuals purchase from unknown sources to avoid the risk of counterfeit or expired drugs.

In addition, the prices of overseas generic drugs such as the Lao version and the Bangladeshi Yaopin international version are lower, ranging from a few hundred to more than 2,000 yuan. The ingredients of the drugs are basically the same as those of the original drugs. However, when purchasing, be sure to choose an international pharmacy or cross-border drug service platform with legal qualifications and ensure that traceability materials such as COA, batch number, and manufacturer information are available. Although generic drugs are more economical, patients should confirm whether they are suitable for use under the guidance of a doctor, ensure that the source is authentic and reliable, and avoid obtaining them through individual sellers or informal channels.

Keyword tags:

Erdafitinib, FGFR inhibitor, urothelial cancer, domestic purchase, regular channels, hospital pharmacy, Hong Kong pharmacy, generic drug

Reference materials:https://www.fda.gov/