Will Pirfenidone be included in medical insurance in 2023?

As of 2023The original drug Pirfenidone has been approved for marketing in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance through the relevant regulations of the National Medical Insurance Bureau. However, reimbursement is limited to patients who meet the indications, namely idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Patients who do not meet the conditions can only purchase this drug at their own expense. For specific information, please consult the local Medical Insurance Bureau and other places.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a highly heterogeneous chronic fibrotic interstitial pneumonia characterized by progressive loss of lung function that may lead to acute respiratory failure and death. Pirfenidone is a synthetic pyridone compound that inhibits the progression of fibrosis and loss of lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis through its anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (the mechanism of action has not been fully determined). In animal models of pulmonary fibrosis, pirfenidone reduces the production of profibrotic and proinflammatory cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-β1 and lung basic fibroblast growth factor, and inhibits the reduction of interferon-γ and the increase of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1.

The original pirfenidone drug that is marketed in China and included in medical insurance, specificationsThe price of 100mg*54 capsules per box 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.