How much does a box of Imatinib cost?

Imatinib, also known as Gleevec or Glivec, is a drug used to treat leukemia and other specific types of leukemia and tumors. It belongs to a class of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which interfere with signaling pathways in abnormal cells, thereby inhibiting the growth and division of cancer cells.

Imatinib was launched in China as early as 2003. The domestic medical insurance price is about 700 yuan, and the specification is 100mg*60. Due to the large differences in medical insurance in different places, please consult the local pharmacy or medical insurance bureau for specific prices. Foreign medicines are divided into original drugs and generic drugs. Original drugs are mainly Turkish original drugs, and the price is relatively high, about 3300 yuan; generic drugs are mainly Indian generic drugs, and the Indian generic drugs specifications 100mg*120 are priced at around a few hundred yuan, which is much cheaper than domestic ones. The ingredients of foreign original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same as those of domestic imatinib.

Imatinib was originally developed to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and a specific type of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) because these cancers are associated with an abnormal molecular event called a BCR-ABL fusion protein. Imatinib can effectively control the development of these leukemias by inhibiting the activity of the BCR-ABL fusion protein.

In addition, imatinib is also used to treat some other cancers, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), because it can also inhibit some other abnormal tyrosine kinases. Imatinib is usually taken as an oral medication, and its side effects can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, edema, etc. However, for many patients, imatinib is an effective treatment that can prolong survival and improve quality of life. Patients should take imatinib according to their doctor's recommendations and receive regular medical monitoring during treatment. Please note that the details and usage of imatinib may vary depending on your patient's specific condition and should be used according to your doctor's recommendations.