How much does a box of obeticholic acid tablets cost in Laos in 2024?

Overseas, the Lao version of obeticholic acid (Obeticholic acid) generic medicine has been put on the market for sale. Its pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same as those of the original medicine. There are differences in price and specifications. A common manufacturer is Lao ASEAN Pharmaceuticals, with specifications of 5mg*30 tablets and 10mg*30 tablets. The price per box ranges from a few hundred to 1,000 yuan (prices may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The price of obeticholic acid original medicine sold overseas may be more than 9,000 US dollars per box (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate), which is very expensive.

Obeticholic acid is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist and a bile acid-modulating drug for the treatment of primary cholangitis (PBC) in adult patients. Management of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis) who do not have cirrhosis or have compensated cirrhosis but no evidence of portal hypertension (FDA orphan drug designation for this condition). Obeticholic acid may be used in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid in patients who have an inadequate response to ursodeoxycholic acid therapy, or alone in patients who are intolerant to ursodeoxycholic acid. Accelerated approval based on reduced alkaline phosphatase concentration; clinical benefit (e.g., improvement in disease-related symptoms, improvement in survival rate) has not been proven.

Obeticholic acid is a relatively new pharmaceutical preparation for use in populations with pathologies for which few pharmacological treatments are available. The most common side effects are pruritus and fatigue; pruritus is also the most common side effect and may lead to discontinuation of treatment. In most cases, itching occurs within the first month of treatment and tends to subside over time while treatment is continued.