Is Vemurafenib covered by medical insurance?

Vemurafenib (Vemurafenib) is a drug used to treat advanced melanoma, with the trade name Zelboraf. It is an inhibitor of the B-Raf enzyme developed by Plexxikon. Vemurafenib maycause programmed cell death in melanoma cell lines. Vemurafenib interrupts the B-Raf/MEK step of the B-Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, ifB-Raf has the common V600E mutation.

Vemurafenib is only effective for melanoma patients whose cancer has the V600E BRAF mutation (that is, at amino acid position No. 600 on the B-Raf protein, the normal valine is replaced by glutamic acid). About60% of melanomas have this mutation. It also has efficacy against the rarer BRAF V600K mutation. Melanoma cells without these mutations are not inhibited by vemurafenib; this drug paradoxically stimulates normal BRAF and may promote tumor growth in this setting.

The original drug Vemurafenib has been marketed in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance, but it is only reimbursed for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who are BRAF V600 mutation-positive and determined by testing methods approved by the CFDA. Specifications The price of 240mg*56 tablets per box may be around 7,000 yuan, which is very expensive. The Turkish version of Vemurafenib Original drug listed overseas, specifications240mg*56 tablets, may cost more than 2,000 yuan per box (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is relatively cheap. There is currently no generic version of Vemurafenib on the market. For more drug information and specific prices, please consult a medical consultant.