Detailed analysis of whether lecanemab-LEQEMBI is included in medical insurance and patient self-payment

Lecanemab (lecanemab)-LEQEMBI is a monoclonal antibody drug used to treat early Alzheimer's disease. It helps clear plaques in the brain by targeting amyloid beta protein (Aβ) aggregation, thereby delaying the decline of cognitive function. The drug has been approved for marketing in China, but because it has not yet been included in medical insurance, patients need to purchase it at their own expense, which makes its use threshold high and access channels relatively limited. Clinically, doctors usually evaluate the patient's condition, cognitive function and economic conditions when prescribing this drug to ensure the rationality of the medication.

In the domestic market, the purchase of lencanezumab mainly relies on large general hospitals or designated pharmacies. Since the drugs are imported biologics and have limited inventory, patients need to make an appointment in advance or obtain them through the hospital’s special drug procurement channels. At the same time, due to the high price of drugs, patients need to make financial plans in advance when paying for them out of pocket. Domestic pharmacies or hospital pharmacies usually provide medication guidance, including injection methods, dosage intervals and possible adverse reaction management, to ensure patient safety and efficacy.

In overseas markets, the U.S. version of lencanezumab is expensive, with each box selling for about more than 10,000 yuan, and most of it is administered by intravenous infusion. Overseas purchases usually need to go through regular hospitals or pharmacies, strictly abide by prescription drug management regulations, and consider transportation, storage and use regulations. For patients, cross-border purchases need to fully evaluate the cost, legality of drug sources and safety of use, and be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.

Overall, lencanezumab has not yet been included in medical insurance in China, and patients mainly rely on self-pay and special hospital channels for use. Drugs are expensive and relatively difficult to obtain. Therefore, in clinical applications, doctors will comprehensively evaluate the patient's condition and financial ability and provide detailed medication guidance. For overseas versions, although the price is higher, they are still available through formal channels. During use, patients should follow medical advice and regularly review cognitive function and possible adverse reactions to ensure safety and efficacy.

Reference materials:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11418606/