Can lorlatinib/lorlatinib be reimbursed?

The original drug Lorlatinib/Lolatinib (Lorlatinib) has been launched in China, and the National Medical Insurance Administration has also adopted its standards to be included in the reimbursement scope of Class B medical insurance. Lorlatinib should only be reimbursed by public drug schemes when used as a single agent and should be prescribed by an oncologist experienced in treating ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, although it may thereafter be prescribed in an outpatient clinic by the patient's healthcare team. Therefore, patients who meet the indications can use the national medical insurance for reimbursement.

Lorlatinib is a kinase inhibitor with in vitro activity againstALK and ROS1, as well as TYK1, FER, FPS, TRKA, TRKB, TRKC, FAK, FAK2 and ACK. Lorlatinib demonstrated in vitro activity against multiple mutant forms of the ALK enzyme, including some detected in tumors during disease progression against crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors.

In mice implanted subcutaneously with tumors containing EML4 fusions harboring ALK variant 1 or ALK mutations, including the G1202R and I1171T mutations detected in tumors upon disease progression on ALK inhibitor treatment, administration of lorlatinib resulted in antitumor activity. Lorlatinib also showed antitumor activity and prolonged survival in mice intracranially implanted with an EML4-ALK driven tumor cell line. The overall antitumor activity of lorlatinib in in vivo models was dose-dependent and associated with inhibition of ALK phosphorylation.

In the domestic market, lorlatinib has emerged as an original drug and has been successfully included in medical insurance, providing patients with more medication options and protection. Its common pharmaceutical specifications include 25 mg 90 tablets and 100 mg 30 tablets. However, the high research and development costs and market positioning of new drugs make them expensive, with each box selling for about 10,000 to 20,000 yuan. Reimbursement ratios are different in different regions, and the price after reimbursement will be different. Patients can consult at local hospitals or medical insurance bureaus.