How much does obeticholic acid cost per month in China?

Obeticholic acid is a synthetically modified bile acid that is a potent agonist of the farnesoid X nuclear receptor (FXR) and is used to treat liver diseases including primary cholangitis (PBC). There is no clear official selling price in China because the drug has not yet been approved for marketing in China.

In overseas markets, the price of the original drug of obeticholic acid is relatively high. The common specifications are 5mg*30 tablets and 10mg*30 tablets. The price per box may be as high as more than 9,000 US dollars. The price is affected by many factors, including drug specifications, suppliers, exchange rate fluctuations, etc. However, since obeticholic acid is not yet available in China, these prices cannot be directly referenced. For new drugs like obeticholic acid, if they can be launched in China in the future, their pricing may be affected by medical insurance policies. If obeticholic acid is included in the medical insurance catalog, its price may be subject to certain restrictions to reduce the financial burden on patients.

The price of generic obeticholic acid is relatively affordable. There are currently multiple versions of obeticholic acid generics on the market, including those produced by ASEAN Pharmaceuticals of Laos, Beacon Pharmaceuticals of Bangladesh, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals of India. The prices of these generic drugs vary depending on the strength and version. For example, the generic version of obeticholic acid produced by Laos ASEAN Pharmaceuticals with the specification of 5mg*30 tablets is priced at around 600 RMB, while the version with the specification of 10mg*30 tablets is priced at more than 1,000 RMB.

When taking into account the cost of one month of treatment, calculations need to be made based on the patient's dosage and selected version. Taking the 30-tablet version of produced by Laos ASEAN Pharmaceuticals as an example, if a patient needs to take one 5mg tablet every day, then the cost of medication for a month (calculated based on 30 days) is about 600 RMB. If you choose a larger version, such as 10mg*30 tablets, the cost will increase accordingly.