Brigatinib/Brigatinib in India: Is the price affordable?

Brigatinib is a specific inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). It is widely used to treat ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has metastasized. Although original or generic versions of this drug are not directly produced in India, they are still available in the Indian market. At the same time, there are also generic drugs on the market from companies such as Laos Lucius Pharmaceuticals, ASEAN Pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh Beacon Pharmaceuticals, and Bangladesh Yaopin International.

In 2017, brigatinib was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a first-line treatment for patients with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, especially those who have developed resistance or intolerance to crizotinib. According to statistics, about 85% of lung cancer patients are non-small cell lung cancer, and 5% of them have ALK gene mutations (that is, ALK positive). To determine if a patient is a candidate for brigatinib, your doctor may recommend an FDA-approved genetic test.

In terms of price, the price of brigatinib, which is currently on the domestic market and included in medical insurance, may be close to RMB 10,000 per box, but the prices of drugs with different specifications and preparations will vary. At the same time, generic drugs marketed overseas are basically the same as the original drugs in terms of pharmaceutical ingredients. Take a 90mg 30-piece generic drug produced by a pharmaceutical factory in Bangladesh as an example. The price is approximately RMB 2,000 per box (but please note that the specific price may change due to exchange rate fluctuations). This generic drug provides patients with a more economical treatment option.