Is bedaquiline effective in treating extrapulmonary tuberculosis? How much does it cost?

Bedaquiline (Bedaquiline) is a new bactericidal and disinfectant antituberculosis drug with the potential to eradicate RPF-dependent persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The safety and efficacy of bedaquiline have been demonstrated in 440 patients in two Phase 2 clinical trials.

In the first trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive bedaquiline plus other drugs used to treat tuberculosis, or placebo plus other drugs used to treat tuberculosis. All patients in the second trial received bedaquiline and other TB drugs. Both studies were designed to measure the time it takes for a patient's sputum to be free of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, known as sputum culture conversion. Results from the first trial showed that patients who received the bedaquiline combination achieved sputum culture conversion in an average of 83 days, compared with an average of 125 days in those who received a placebo combination. Results from the second trial showed a median time to sputum culture conversion of 57 days, supporting the efficacy findings of the first trial. Common side effects found in clinical trials include nausea, joint pain, and headache.

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.