Can Guanfacine be purchased in the country and the formal channels for purchasing it?

The original drug Guanfacine (Guanfacine) has not yet been officially launched in mainland China. Domestic drug regulatory authorities have not approved its sale as a prescription drug, so it cannot be purchased directly from ordinary pharmacies or hospital pharmacies. Although a domestic company has submitted a registration application for sustained-release tablets, there is still no marketing approval or public sales record as of 2025, which means that patients cannot obtain the drug through formal channels in China.

For patients who urgently need guanfacine, they may consider obtaining it through overseas formal channels. The common version of overseas original drugs is the Japanese version, with specifications including 1mg140 tablets and 3mg140 tablets. A box of 1mg*140 tablets sells for about more than 3,000 yuan, and the price will be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. Although you can obtain medicines through overseas channels, you need to pay attention to issues such as transportation, customs clearance, and legality of prescriptions. These factors may increase the difficulty and risk of purchasing medicines.

Guanfacine may be sold through some informal channels in China, but it is usually provided as "chemical reagents" or "research compounds". This type of drug is not qualified for clinical use. If patients obtain drugs through these channels, they are not only legally exposed, but the quality, dosage, and storage conditions of the drugs cannot be guaranteed, which poses serious safety risks. Therefore, such methods are not recommended.

In the future, if guanfacine is approved and marketed as a domestic generic drug, patients should purchase it with a prescription through regular hospitals and authorized pharmacies, and use it strictly in compliance with the doctor's instructions. Prior to this, patients are advised to evaluate whether there are alternative medicines or other treatment options under the guidance of professional doctors, and avoid purchasing or using overseas medicines on their own to ensure medication safety and legal compliance.

Reference materials:https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer