Is the price of the Indian generic version of Apelvis high?

Alpelisib (Alpelisib) is a cancer drug used to treat breast cancer (BC) in postmenopausal women and men who are locally advanced or have spread to other parts of the body. Apelvis can be used only if the cancer cells have receptors for certain hormones on their surface (HR-positive) and do not have large amounts of another receptor, HER2 (HER2-negative). The cancer cells must also be shown to have specific mutations (changes) in a gene called PIK3CA.

Apelvis is used with the drug Fuvestrant (hormone treatment for breast cancer) after hormone therapy alone has failed. Alpeliscontains the active substance alpelisib. In patients whose cancer cells have PIK3CA mutations, an abnormal form of the PI3K enzyme is produced, stimulating the cancer cells to divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner. Apelixworks by blocking the activity of abnormal PI3K, thereby reducing the growth and spread of cancer.

The Indian version of Apelvis may fall into the category of generic drugs, which refer to drugs that have similar active ingredients, dosage forms, routes of administration and therapeutic effects to the original brand drug of Apellis. The emergence of such generic drugs aims to provide patients with treatment options that are similar to the original drugs but at a more favorable price. However, as of April 2024, we have not yet learned that there is an Indian version of generic Apelvis drugs on the market. The Apelis generic drug produced by Lucius Pharmaceuticals in Laos is currently the only generic drug. The price of each box of 150mg*28 tablets is more than 2,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate), which is much cheaper than the original drug. For more information on overseas drug prices and related information, please consult Yaode Medical Consultants.