How much does it cost to use Obeticholic acid for one month in China?

Obeticholic acid is a selective farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, mainly used to treat primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). In China, the cost of one month of obeticholic acid has always been a practical topic of great concern to patients and their families. Since the drug has not yet been officially approved for marketing in China, there is no unified and public official pricing for its cost. Instead, it is more comprehensively judged with reference to overseas market prices and personal access methods.

Based on overseas drug use experience, the recommended starting dose of obeticholic acid is usually 5 mg once daily This dosage design itself also reflects its strong pharmacological activity. In European and American countries, original obeticholic acid is more commonly packaged in 5 mg or 10 mg specifications. Calculated based on a starting regimen of 5 mg per day, approximately one box is needed per month. Combined with the quotations from overseas pharmacies or formal channels, the price of a single box is often at a relatively high level. After converting into RMB, the monthly medication cost is quite stressful for ordinary families. Exchange rate fluctuations, regional differences and different procurement channels will all have a significant impact on final expenditures.

In the actual medication process in China, some patients obtain obeticholic acid through overseas medical services or legal cross-border drug channels, and their overall monthly cost is usually much higher than that of common oral drugs. This also requires many patients to carefully weigh the expected efficacy and financial affordability before starting treatment. With the gradual emergence of obeticholic acid generics in the international market, the monthly medication costs for some patients have been significantly reduced. But even so, patients should still choose reliable sources under the guidance of doctors to avoid neglecting drug quality and safety due to price factors.

Generally speaking, there is no unified answer to the actual cost of using obeticholic acid for one month in China, but it is closely related to the access channels, drug sources and individual medication plans.

Reference materials:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obeticholic_acid