Why is Crizotinib so expensive?

The relatively high price of Crizotinib (Crizotinib) may be due to the combined impact of multiple factors such as its high R&D costs, high production costs, and market competition. Crizotinib is a new drug, and its research and development process requires a large number of clinical trials and laboratory research, requiring a large investment of human and financial resources. In addition, during clinical trials, various unforeseen treatment problems may be encountered, requiring continuous testing and adjustments, which also increases R&D costs.

The production process of pharmaceuticals also requires the investment of a large amount of resources, including raw material procurement, production equipment, production technology, etc. In addition, the production process of drugs also requires strict quality control to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drugs. These factors have led to higher production costs of drugs, which in turn affects the price of drugs. As new drugs are launched and market competition intensifies, drug prices will also be affected. However, for some rare diseases and special diseases, the demand for drugs is relatively small and market competition is relatively small, which may also lead to relatively high drug prices.

The original drug Crizotinib has been launched in China and is covered by medical insurance, but it is only reimbursed for patients who meet the indications. The price per box may be around RMB 15,000. The price of the original Turkish version of Crizotinib sold overseas may be more than RMB 10,000 per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is expensive. There are also cheaper generic crizotinib drugs available overseas. The ingredients are basically similar to those of the original drugs sold domestically and abroad. For example, the price of 250mg*60 tablets produced by a Bangladesh pharmaceutical factory may be more than 2,000 yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates).