Canafenib/Encofenib medical insurance reimbursement status and policy explanation

Canafenib (Encorafenib), as a new generation of BRAF targeted drugs, has just been launched in China, but it has not yet been included in the scope of medical insurance. This means that when patients purchase the drug in domestic hospitals, they need to bear all the costs out of their own pocket, which may bring some pressure to patients with limited financial ability. Since domestic medical insurance has not yet covered it, if patients have purchase needs, they need to consult the specific supply and price of the hospital pharmacy in advance.

In overseas markets, the sales price of canafenib’s original drug is relatively high. For example, the European version of 75mg specification, 42 capsules may cost more than 10,000 yuan per box, and 168 capsules may cost more than 40,000 yuan per box. These prices vary due to exchange rate fluctuations and market supply conditions. Generally speaking, they fall into the category of high-priced targeted drugs. For patients who require long-term medication, the financial burden of overseas original drugs is very high, so it is necessary to fully evaluate the patient's economic status and treatment plan during clinical use.

One of the possible options for domestic patients is to choose Lao version of generic drugs. The Lao health department has approved the marketing of generic Canafenib. Its ingredients are basically the same as the original drug. The price per box is about 4,000 yuan, which is significantly lower than the market price of the original drug. By purchasing generic drugs through formal channels, patients can reduce their financial burden to a certain extent while ensuring drug efficacy and safety. However, you still need to pay attention to the formality of the channels during the purchase process to avoid purchasing non-compliant drugs.

Generally speaking, canafenib has not been included in medical insurance in the country, and patients have to bear a large out-of-pocket burden. Overseas original drugs are expensive, and Lao generic drugs provide an economically viable alternative. When patients choose medications, they should weigh the cost-effectiveness of original drugs and generic drugs based on their own financial status, disease severity, and clinician recommendations. At the same time, attention should be paid to future updates of medical insurance policies. If canafenib is included in medical insurance, it will significantly reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs and further improve accessibility.

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