Where can I buy Erdafitinib in China?

Erdafitinib is a targeted cancer drug that is used to treat certain types of advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (urothelial carcinoma). It belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which work by inhibiting the activity of specific tyrosine kinases in tumor cells.

Erdafitinib has not yet been launched in the domestic market. Therefore, patients currently cannot directly purchase this drug in China and must obtain it through foreign channels. If you pursue original research quality, the Hong Kong version of erdafitinib is the first choice, but it is expensive, with a price tag of more than 20,000 yuan, and can only be purchased through pharmacies in Hong Kong . In comparison, foreign generic drugs are more economical and affordable. The generic drugs on the market mainly come from Laos and Bangladesh, with prices ranging from a few hundred yuan to more than 2,000 yuan. It is worth noting that the ingredients of these generic drugs and the original drugs are basically the same.

Urothelial cancer is a cancer that develops from cells lining the bladder, urethra, or renal pelvis and may become resistant to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Erdafitinib works by inhibiting tyrosine kinases in the FGFR (fibroblast growth factor receptor) family. Aberrant activity of this family has been implicated in the development and progression of several cancers, including urothelial carcinoma.

The use of erdafitinib in the treatment of urothelial carcinoma is indicated in patients whose disease has progressed or is intolerable despite chemotherapy. Typically, patients undergo genetic testing to confirm whether their tumors have FGFR gene abnormalities before receiving treatment, as this will determine whether they will respond to erdafitinib treatment.

In clinical trials, erdafitinib has been shown to elicit a positive response against cancer in some patients. However, it may also cause some adverse reactions, including dry mouth, fatigue, dehydration, hand-foot syndrome, etc. Therefore, when using this drug, doctors will weigh the pros and cons based on the patient's condition and closely monitor the patient's response.