Discussion on the price of pemetinib/pemetinib targeted drugs in 2024

Pemigatinib/Pemigatinib, as a representative drug of FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), has occupied a place in the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Pemetinib has shown significant therapeutic effects against relapsed or refractory myeloid/lymphoid tumors with FGFR2 and FGFR1 rearrangements. Currently, the medical community is actively exploring the possibility of combining pemetinib with immunotherapy in order to provide more effective treatment options for more patients.

The price of this innovative drug has always been a focus of concern for patients and their families. As an original drug, pemetinib has high research and development costs. During the patent protection period, the original drug enjoys exclusive sales rights, which also makes its price relatively high. In the domestic market, the original drug pemetinib has not yet been included in the scope of medical insurance. It is available in two specifications: 4.5 mg 14 tablets and 9 mg 14 tablets. The price of each box may be as high as 30,000 to 50,000 yuan. In overseas markets, the price of each box of the original pemetinib drug with a specification of 13.5mg*14 tablets may be around 70,000 yuan. Of course, this price will also be affected by exchange rate fluctuations.

In order to reduce the financial burden on patients, some pharmaceutical companies have begun to develop generic drugs. Generic drugs are drugs that are produced according to the standards and specifications of the original drug after the patent of the original drug expires. Since there is no need to bear the research and development costs of the original drug, the price of generic drugs is usually more affordable. For example, the generic version of pemetinib produced by a Lao pharmaceutical factory with a specification of 4.5mg*14 tablets may cost more than 1,000 yuan per box. Although the price is lower, the pharmaceutical ingredients of generic drugs are basically the same as those of the original drugs, so they have certain guarantees in terms of efficacy and safety.