Is the new anti-tuberculosis drug bedaquiline cheap?

Bedaquiline (Bedaquiline) is a bactericidal antimycobacterial drug belonging to the diarylquinolines. The quinoline central heterocyclic core (containing alcohol and amine side chains) is responsible for bedaquiline-mediated antimycobacterial activity. Although bedaquiline is closely related to fluoroquinolones, it does not affect DNA gyrase; instead, bedaquiline inhibits the c subunit of ATP synthase, which is responsible for the synthesis of ATP.

Bedaquiline is used to treat mycobacterial infections, particularly tuberculosis (TB). Although current anti-tuberculosis drugs, including the two key drugs isoniazid and rifampicin, are very effective in the treatment of tuberculosis for a standard of 2 months, the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to isoniazid and rifampicin has greatly worsened patient prognosis. Bedaquiline was the first drug to treat tuberculosis that was refractory to current treatments on the market. Currently, bedaquiline is also the last anti-tuberculosis drug and can only be used in appropriate combination regimens.

The drug is marketed in China as bedaquiline fumarate tablets and has been included in the scope of medical insurance. The common specificationsThe price of 100mg*24 tablets per box may be around 10,000 yuan, which is relatively expensive. The Russian version of bedaquiline sold overseas, Specification100mg*188 tablets per box, may cost around RMB 15,000 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The pharmaceutical ingredients of bedaquiline sold domestically and abroad are basically the same, and there are currently no generic bedaquiline drugs on the market. For specific prices and drug information of overseas drugs, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.