Is Natalizumab included in medical insurance?

Natalizumab is a drug used to treat adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) that is not adequately controlled with another disease-modifying therapy or that worsens rapidly. Multiple sclerosis is a nerve disease in which inflammation destroys the protective sheath around nerves and damages the nerves themselves. Natalizumab is used in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, a form of multiple sclerosis in which people have attacks (relapses) between periods of stable symptoms (remissions).

The active ingredient in Natalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets an integrin on white blood cells called α4β1 that is involved in inflammation. Natalizumab is thought to reduce inflammation and resulting nerve damage by blocking white blood cells from entering brain and spinal cord tissue by binding to integrins. This helps reduce disease symptoms. Natalizumab is also indicated to induce and maintain clinical response and remission in adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease (CD) who have evidence of inflammation and are inadequately responsive to or intolerant to conventional CD therapies and TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor, a substance that causes inflammation in the body) inhibitors.

Other warnings in the prescribing information include risks related to herpes infection, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), immunosuppression (increased risk of certain infections), serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, and hepatotoxicity (severe liver damage).

Natalizumab's original patent drug is not marketed in the country and cannot be included in medical insurance. Currently, the generic drug natalizumab on the market overseas may cost more than 8,000 US dollars per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is very expensive. For more drug information and specific prices, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.