Is palbociclib/palbociclib covered by medical insurance?

Palbociclib, English namePalbociclib, trade name is Ibrance, is an oral inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6. This drug plays an important role in cancer treatment, especially in hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

The main effect of palbociclib is to specifically inhibit CDK4/6 protein kinase during the cell cycle process, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and growth of cancer cells. It can significantly extend survival in patients with advanced breast cancer when used in combination with aromatase inhibitors as initial endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women. In addition, palbociclib can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and reduce the resistance of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy.

However, palbociclib is not without side effects. Patients may experience adverse reactions such as loss of appetite, hair loss, and fatigue during use. Although these side effects are mild, they still need to be paid attention to by patients. During use, patients should closely monitor their physical condition and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities occur.

Pabociclib has been officially launched in the country and is also covered by medical insurance. For example, for domestic specifications of 125mg*21 tablets, the price after reimbursement by medical insurance is about 4,200 yuan. At the same time, we can also explore the overseas palbociclib market, where the drugs include original research and generics. It is worth noting that the price of overseas original drugs is even higher than the domestic price after medical insurance. Therefore, if patients need original drugs, it will be more convenient and economical to purchase them directly from China. As for overseas generic drugs, they are mainly versions from Bangladesh and Laos. Among them, the price of palbociclib from different manufacturers in Bangladesh ranges from 780 to 2800 yuan.