How much does dupilumab cost on the market?

Dupilumab is a high-cost biologic. The brand name of its original drug is "Dupixent", which has been launched in many countries around the world and has been gradually included in the medical insurance system. In China, dupilumab has been approved and entered into the National Medical Insurance Category B Category B for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and some patients with asthma and chronic sinusitis. After being included in medical insurance, the proportion of patients paying out-of-pocket has dropped significantly, and the price is about RMB 2,000 to RMB 3,000 per tube. The specific price varies slightly depending on the region and medical insurance policy.

In the international market, dupilumab is one of the high-priced innovative drugs. Taking the United States and Europe as an example, each box (including two prefilled injection pens) sells for approximately US$3,500 to US$4,000. In countries such as Turkey and India, prices are relatively low due to the existence of generic drugs or parallel import channels. Some cross-border drug purchasing platforms can also provide the overseas original version of Dupixent, which costs approximately RMB 7,000 to RMB 8,000 per tube. The price is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

The dosage of dupilumab varies according to the type of disease. A common regimen is 300 mg subcutaneously every two weeks. If calculated based on a standard course of treatment, two tubes are needed per month, so the average monthly cost is between NT$4,000 and NT$6,000. If reimbursed by medical insurance, patients' actual burden can be reduced by more than 60%, greatly improving drug accessibility.

It is worth noting that dupilumab is a biological agent, needs to be transported and stored under cold chain conditions, and must be used under the guidance of a doctor. Some area hospitals or pharmacies can provide injection services, and some patients can use them at home after receiving training. As global production capacity increases and domestic and foreign negotiations advance, prices are still likely to fall further in the future. Overall, although dupilumab is more expensive, its long-term efficacy and significant improvement in quality of life make its cost-effectiveness widely recognized.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com