How much does a box of Su Kexin/Avatrombopag Maleate Tablets cost?

Avatrombopag/Avatrombopag is a thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adult patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) scheduled for surgery. Its use was subsequently expanded in June 2019 to include the treatment of ITP in adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenia who have had an inadequate response to prior therapy.

In the body, a hormone called thrombopoietin stimulates the production of platelets by attaching to receptors (targets) in the bone marrow. The active substance in avatrombopag, avatrombopag, attaches to the same receptor as thrombopoietin and helps increase platelet counts. Avatrombopag is only available by prescription. It is available in 20 mg tablets. Treatment with avatrombopag should be started at least 10 days before surgery, with a dose of 2 or 3 tablets per day, depending mainly on the platelet count at the beginning of treatment, and continued for 5 days. It is necessary to perform a blood test on the day of surgery to ensure that platelet counts are adequate and not unexpectedly elevated.

Avatrombopag's original drug has been launched in China under the trade name Su Kexin, and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance, but only eligible patients can be reimbursed. Common specifications are 20mg*15 tablets and 20mg*10 tablets may cost RMB 7,000 per box, while avatropopag's original brand drug marketed overseas is more expensive. It is understood that there are generic avatrombopag drugs on the market overseas, and their drug ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drugs sold domestically and abroad. For example, the price of a box of 20mg*30 tablets produced by Laos Pharmaceuticals may be more than 500 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rate effects).