Is Ramucirumab included in medical insurance?

Ramucirumab has been approved as a single agent or in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who have disease progression on or after prior fluoropyrimidine or platinum chemotherapy regimens. Following the gastric cancer approval, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its approved use to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (HCC).

Ramucirumabin combination with docetaxel for the treatment of patients with metastaticNSCLC who have progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with tumors with EGFR or ALK genomic abnormalities should have disease progression on an FDA-approved therapy targeting these mutations before receiving ramucirumab. It is also approved for use in combination with FOLFIRI (leucovorin, fluorouracil, and irinotecan) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose disease has progressed before or after treatment with bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech), oxaliplatin, and fluoropyrimidine.

Ramosizumab is usually an injection preparation. The original drug has been on the market in China, but it has been on the market for a short time and has not been included in the medical insurance. The price of 100mg/10mL per box may be around RMB 5,000, and the price of 500mg/50mL per box may be around RMB 17,000. The price of the original Hong Kong version of 100mg/10mL may be around RMB 8,400 per box, and the price of 500mg/50mL per box may be around RMB 28,000 (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), and their pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same. Currently, there are no generic drugs produced and marketed overseas. For specific prices and drug information, please consult Yaode’s medical consultant.