Is pemetinib included in medical insurance?

Pemigatinib is an oral small molecule FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) inhibitor, mainly used to treat patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) who have FGFR2 gene rearrangements or mutations. It blocks the proliferation signals of tumor cells by inhibiting the FGFR pathway and has significant anti-tumor activity. In 2020, pemetinib was approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma with FGFR2 rearrangements, becoming a targeted treatment option for such patients.

In China, pemetinib has been officially launched, but it has not yet been included in medical insurance, so patients need to bear higher costs when purchasing it. Depending on pharmacies and hospitals in different regions, the price of pemetinib is around tens of thousands of yuan, and the specific price may vary. Since this drug is not included in medical insurance, patients need to pay for it themselves when purchasing it, and price policies and reimbursement policies vary in different regions. Therefore, patients need to consult the local hospital pharmacy or medical insurance bureau for detailed information.

In addition, the price of foreign generic pemetinib drugs is relatively cheap, especially the generic drugs from Laos. The price is generally around a few hundred yuan, which is much lower than the price of domestic original drugs. Lao generic drugs are basically the same as the original drugs in terms of ingredients and effects, and patients can purchase these generic drugs through international channels. Although generic drugs are less expensive, their quality is comparable to that of brand-name drugs, making them an alternative chosen by some patients.

In general, although pemetinib is not covered by medical insurance in China and its price is relatively high, patients can obtain more economical treatment options by consulting hospital pharmacies, understanding changes in medical insurance policies, or purchasing generic drugs abroad.