The difference between imported and generic drugs of Gefitinib

Gefitinib (Gefitinib) is a drug used to treat specific types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is a targeted therapy drug. Imported drugs and generic drugs are two different types of drugs that differ in many aspects.

First, imported drugs are usually drugs produced by the original drug manufacturer and sold in other countries. These drugs undergo strict regulation and quality control to ensure their quality and safety. Imported drugs may be part of the original drug brand and often involve significant investment of money and time in the development, clinical trials and approval process.

Generic drugs are similar drugs produced by other pharmaceutical companies based on existing drug information and formulas after the patent protection period of the original drug has expired. Generic drugs must be rigorously compared and tested with the original drug in terms of quality, potency and safety to ensure it is equivalent to the original drug. Generic drugs often have lower costs because they do not require independent development and clinical trials, making the drugs more affordable.

There is a significant difference in price between imported drugs and generic drugs. Imported drugs tend to be more expensive because they may involve multiple links, such as research and development, production and international trade, adding to the cost. Generic drugs are often less expensive, which helps reduce the burden of drug costs on patients and the healthcare system. The pharmaceutical ingredients of imported original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same.

Gefitinib was launched in China in 2005. At that time, the price of a box was about 5,000 yuan. In 2017 it entered the domestic medical insurance. After the medical insurance, the price dropped a lot. There are domestically produced drugs in the country. For the specific price after the medical insurance, please consult the local hospital pharmacy or the medical insurance bureau. Other versions include original drugs and cost-effective generic drugs. Generic drugs include generic drugs from India, Bangladesh and Laos. The prices vary with different specifications, about 200~800yuan, and the ingredients of generic drugs are basically the same as domestic drugs.