Detailed explanation of the medical insurance reimbursement status of trifluridine and tipiracil (Longsford)

Trifluridine and tipiracil (Lonsurf) are an important drug on the market in China. However, its original version of the drug has not yet been included in my country’s medical insurance catalog. The common specifications on the market are15 mg 20 tablets and 20 mg 20 tablets. But the good news is that the domestic generic version of trifluridine and tipiracil has been successfully included in the reimbursement scope of Class B medical insurance, which is undoubtedly good news for patients who meet the indications. However, due to differences in medical insurance policies in different regions, the actual price after reimbursement may vary.

The therapeutic mechanism of this drug is quite unique. In the body, trifluridine is converted into an active form that becomes embedded in the DNA of cells. This process can effectively interfere with the normal function of DNA, thereby preventing the division and proliferation of cancer cells. Trifluridine is more easily activated in cancer cells than in normal cells, allowing the drug to be more active in cancer cells and last longer.

Currently, to obtain medical insurance reimbursement for trifluridine and tipiracil, patients need to meet certain conditions. These conditions include: patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have previously received fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy; and patients who have previously received or are not suitable for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy (RAS wild-type).

In terms of price, each box of the original drug Trifluridine Tipiracil Tablets (Lanceford) is priced at approximately around RMB 6,000. The price of domestic generic drugs is relatively close to the people, and may be around 2,000 yuan per box. In addition, there are also some cheaper generic drugs available in overseas markets, and their drug ingredients are basically the same as the original drugs. For example, the version produced by an Indian pharmaceutical factory may cost around 1,000 yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). However, it should be noted that when purchasing drugs overseas, you need to carefully choose formal channels to ensure the quality and safety of the drugs.