Domestic selling price of tucatinib/tucatinib

Tucatinib/Tucatinib (Tucatinib) is a new oral selective HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor specifically used for patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer, especially for patients with brain metastases. It blocks the proliferation and spread of tumor cells by highly selectively inhibiting the HER2 signaling pathway, thereby improving patients' survival expectations and quality of life. Although tucatinib has been approved for marketing in Europe, the United States and some Asian countries, the original drug of tucatinib has not yet been approved in the Chinese market. Therefore, the country cannot purchase the drug through formal channels and cannot be included in the medical insurance system. For domestic patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, this means that they must rely on purchasing drugs overseas or participating in clinical studies if they want to use the drug, which involves certain price and drug source risks.

In overseas markets, the European version of tucatinib’s original drug specification is 150 mg × 84 tablets, with a price of more than 40,000 yuan per box. It is expensive and significantly affected by exchange rate fluctuations, making long-term treatment costs extremely high. In order to reduce the financial burden on patients, generic drugs have been released in overseas markets. For example, the generic drug produced by a Laos pharmaceutical factory is 150 mg × 60 tablets and sells for about more than 2,000 yuan per box. The drug ingredients are basically the same as the original drug, providing a relatively economical treatment option. However, it should be noted that the quality and efficacy stability of generic drugs still need to be certified through legal channels and drug regulatory authorities. Patients should carefully screen the sources when purchasing to avoid fake drugs or products of low quality.

Currently, tucatinib is still in the "blank period" in the domestic market. The original drug has not yet been launched. Domestic patients can obtain the drug through formal overseas channels. With the accumulation of clinical trial data and the advancement of domestic drug registration and approval, original drugs are expected to enter the Chinese market in the future, which will not only improve drug accessibility, but also drive down prices and bring about wider clinical applications.

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