Will Canafenib/Encofenib be included in medical insurance and reimbursement policies in 2025?

Canafenib (Encorafenib, trade name: Encorafenib) has been officially launched in China in 2025, providing patients with domestic legal drug purchase channels. The drug is mainly used to treat melanoma or other indications related to BRAF V600 mutation, providing a new option for targeted therapy. However, due to the short time on the market, there are still differences in the convenience with which patients can actually obtain medicines in hospital pharmacies in various places, and they need to consult local hospitals or pharmacies in advance.

As of now, Encaofeni has not been included in China’s national medical insurance directory. Therefore, patients need to bear all drug costs themselves, and medical insurance reimbursement is temporarily unavailable. This means that the economic burden of using original drugs in China is relatively high. Patients should fully evaluate their own economic conditions before taking drugs and formulate treatment plans based on doctor's recommendations.

Canafenib has been sold in overseas markets such as Europe. The common specifications are 75mg×42 tablets and 75mg In order to reduce financial pressure, some patients can also choose the Lao version of generic drugs, which cost about 4,000 yuan per box. They are basically the same active ingredients as the original drugs and are more cost-effective.

When doctors prescribe Encofenib, they will reasonably recommend original drugs or compliant generic drugs based on the patient's condition, financial conditions and medication needs. In the future, as drug promotion and medical insurance negotiations advance, Encofenib is expected to gradually enter the medical insurance directory, improving the accessibility and affordability of domestic patients. Prior to this, patients can purchase it through formal channels and use it according to the doctor's instructions to ensure the treatment effect and medication safety.

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