Is the targeted drug Pemigatinib a medical insurance drug?

Pemigatinib (Pemigatinib) is a targeted anti-cancer drug, called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI). It is a treatment for advanced cholangiocarcinoma that has recurred or spread to other parts of the body. It is currently on the market in China. However, due to its short time on the market, it has not yet entered the scope of medical insurance through the relevant regulations of the National Medical Insurance Bureau. Therefore, pemetinib is not a medically insured drug. This drug is sold under the trade name of Dabotan in China.

If a patient has a cancer that changes in a gene called fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), they may need to be treated with pemigatinib, which contains the active ingredient pemigatinib. Before the patient starts taking this drug, the doctor will test for the cancer. Pemetinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI). Blocking tyrosine kinases prevents cells from growing and dividing. People can continue to take pemetinib in this way as long as the treatment is helping the patient.

The price of 4.5mg*14 tablets of pemetinib sold in China may be around 30,000 yuan per box, which is expensive. The price of the original pemetinib drug, 13.5mg*14 tablets, per box sold overseas may be around RMB 70,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). There are also generic pemetinib drugs produced in other countries overseas. For example, the price of a box of 4.5mg*21 tablets produced by a Laos pharmaceutical factory may be around 3,000 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The price is relatively cheap. The pharmaceutical ingredients of the generic drugs are basically the same as those of the original drugs at home and abroad.