What is Romiplostim?

Romiplostim is a platelet production-stimulating dimer Fc-peptide fusion protein (peptibody) that increases platelet production by activating the thrombopoietin receptor. The amino acid sequence of romiplostim is not similar to endogenous thrombopoietin, and it is produced in E. coli by recombinantDNA technology. Romigrastim is a potential treatment for chronic idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved romigrastim for marketing in August 2008. It works by stimulating a patient's megakaryocytes to produce platelets at a faster than normal rate, thus overwhelming the immune system's ability to destroy them. Because doing so involves changes in bone marrow chemistry, there are a number of potentially serious side effects, including death, myalgia, joint and extremity discomfort, insomnia, thrombocythemia, which can lead to potentially fatal blood clots, and myelofibrosis, which can lead to an unsafe drop in red blood cell counts.

RomiplostimThe original drug has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration for marketing. Due to its short time on the market, it is not included in the scope of medical insurance. It may be difficult to purchase it domestically. The price of the original version in Hong Kong may be RMB 10,000 per pill (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates). The price of the European version of romiplostim the original drug may be 11,000 RMB per pill, the German version may be 9,850 RMB per pill, and the Hong Kong version may be 8,900 RMB per pill (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of the drugs are basically the same. For specific prices and drug details, please consult Yaode’s medical consultant.