Discussion on the monthly treatment cost of lorlatinib/lorlatinib

Lorlatinib is a prescription drug that specifically targets adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) caused by an abnormal anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene that has spread to other parts of the body. The drug was developed by Pfizer and sold under different trademarks around the world, such as Lorbrena in the United States, Canada and Japan, and Lorviqua in the European Union. Lorlatinib's main mechanism of action is to inhibit ALK and ROS1, two enzymes that play key roles in cancer development.

Before using lorlatinib, the patient's medical team will perform specific tests to ensure that the drug is appropriate for their condition. At present, the safety and effectiveness of lorlatinib in children have not been clearly confirmed. The drug is mainly available as 25 mg or 100 mg oral tablets, with the recommended daily dose being 100 mg. Doctors may adjust the dose or temporarily interrupt treatment if certain adverse reactions occur. If the condition worsens or side effects become too severe, treatment may be discontinued completely.

In China, the original drug of lorlatinib has been launched and included in the scope of medical insurance. The common drug specifications are: 25 mg 90 tablets and 100 mg 30 tablets. According to regular medication instructions, patients need approximately one box of medication per month. Currently, the price of each box of domestically marketed drugs ranges from RMB 10,000 to RMB 20,000, while in Hong Kong, the price of the same original drug ranges from RMB 30,000 to RMB 50,000. Compared with the original drug, the price of generic lorlatinib sold overseas is more affordable. The monthly treatment cost for patients is only about 3,000 yuan, which undoubtedly provides a more economical choice for many patients.