Latest domestic news on rare drugs: Eculizumab price after medical insurance

In the United States, Eculizumab is used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) to reduce hemolysis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome to inhibit complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In the EU, eculizumab is also used to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in adult and pediatric patients.

Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the terminal complement proteinC5. It blocks the formation of the membrane attack complex (C5-9), thereby protecting PNH red blood cells from complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated by reducing or eliminating the need for blood transfusions, reducing the incidence of thrombosis, improving anemia and quality of life (QoL), and extending overall survival (OS). Additionally, due to the broad use of eculizumab, another treatment option, stem cell transplantation, is only available in cases of severe bone marrow failure.

The patented drug Eculizumab has been launched in China and is covered by medical insurance. Reimbursement is limited to eligible patients. The specification is The price of each box of 300mg (30ml) may be more than 3,000 yuan. The reimbursement ratio is different in different regions. The price after reimbursement may also be slightly different, but it will be lower than the original price. It is understood that the price of each box of the original Eculizumab drug sold overseas is more than 6,000 US dollars (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the original drug sold at home and abroad are basically the same, and the price of the original drug is still relatively expensive. There are currently no generic versions of eculizumab available on the market.