Analysis of the latest developments in whether Eslicarbazepine has been included in medical insurance and reimbursement policies

As of now, eslicarbazepine (trade name: Aptiom) has not been marketed in mainland China, so it has not yet been included in the national medical insurance directory. The drug was developed by the French company Sanofi and is mainly used to treat partial epileptic seizures in adults. It has good efficacy and tolerability. However, as it has not yet been approved for marketing by China’s drug regulatory authorities, patients cannot obtain the drug through medical insurance channels.

In overseas markets, the price of eslicarbazepine is relatively high. Taking the United States as an example, the average price of 800 mg eslicarbazepine (30 tablets) is about 1230.99 US dollars. This price imposes a heavy financial burden on patients undergoing long-term treatment for epilepsy. In addition, due to differences in medical insurance policies, patients' reimbursement situations also vary in different countries and regions.

For patients in mainland China, if they need to use eslicarbazepine, they can obtain it by purchasing the drug overseas. However, there are certain legal and safety risks associated with this approach, and patients should choose with caution. In addition, patients can also consider using alternative drugs, such as lamotrigine and carbamazepine. These drugs are already on the market in China and are included in medical insurance, and the economic burden is relatively light.

Currently, there is no clear timetable for the launch of eslicarbazepine in mainland China. However, with the increasing domestic demand for epilepsy treatment drugs and concerns about the efficacy and safety of new anti-epileptic drugs, eslicarbazepine may be launched in China and included in the medical insurance directory in the future. Patients can follow the policy dynamics of the National Medical Products Administration and relevant departments to obtain the latest information.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/