Can Pirfenidone cure pulmonary fibrosis?

It is recommended that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) use pirfenidone or nintedanib for anti-fibrotic treatment. Although treatment with pirfenidone is not curative, clinical trials have shown that it can slow disease progression, as reflected by lung function, exercise tolerance, and progression-free survival, and improve life expectancy.

There is growing evidence that early diagnosis and early treatment with pirfenidone preserves lung function status and prolongs life. A positive effect of pirfenidone on disease progression has also recently been observed in patients with advanced disease who have poorly preserved lung function. The effectiveness of pirfenidone in reducing forced vital capacity (FVC) decline, reducing 6-minute walk test distance (6-MWT), and increasing progression-free survival 12 months after dosing has been demonstrated in the Phase III volumetric/ASCEND population and in studies from various countries. However, long-term data on disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with pirfenidone remain limited.

The original drug pirfenidone has been approved for marketing in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. Reimbursement is limited to patients who meet the indications. SpecificationsThe price of each box of 100mg*54 tablets is about 500 yuan. There are also generic pirfenidone drugs produced in other countries overseas. For example, the price of a box of 200mg*30 tablets produced by an Indian pharmaceutical factory is around RMB 100 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the generic drugs are basically the same as those of the original drug. For more drug information and specific prices, please consult Yaode Medical Consultant.