Your Health, We Care
Release date: 2025-03-27 10:20:16 Recommended: 69
The price and accessibility of the targeted drug crizotinib has always been a focus of concern for patients.
In 2025, crizotinib will be included in the China Medical Insurance Catalogue, and the reimbursement category of medical insurance category B will significantly reduce the burden on patients.
Before medical insurance, the price of each box (250mg*60 capsules) was about 10,296 yuan; After the medical insurance, the individual payment fee is reduced to 2600-3706 yuan, and the specific amount fluctuates depending on the reimbursement ratio in different regions. For example, in some cities, the reimbursement rate of medical insurance can reach 70%, further reducing the out-of-pocket part.
In addition to the domestic medical insurance version, the price of generic drugs produced in India and other regions is more advantageous. The price of crizotinib (the same specification) produced by INDAR Pharmaceutical in India is about 1,600 yuan/box, which is about 60% of the cost after domestic medical insurance. Some patients choose the overseas version through cross-border medical channels to reduce long-term treatment costs.
Crizotinib should be taken twice daily and consumed in one box per month. Based on the price after domestic medical insurance, the annual treatment cost is about 31,000-44,000 yuan, and if you choose the Indian version, the annual cost can be reduced to about 19,000 yuan. For patients requiring long-term medication, the economic burden varies significantly.
The efficacy of crizotinib is closely related to the type of gene mutation, which provides important support for precision medicine.
As the world's first ALK kinase inhibitor, crizotinib has significant efficacy in patients with ALK and ROS1-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Clinical trials have shown an objective response rate (ORR) of 66%-72% and a median overall survival (OS) of 51.4 months, far exceeding that of conventional chemotherapy.
Crizotinib has weak control of brain metastases, with approximately 45% to 70% of patients likely to have brain progression after treatment. In addition, drug resistance usually develops within a year. However, the marketing of second-generation (e.g., lorlatinib) and third-generation ALK-TKIs provides the possibility of continuation of therapy for drug-resistant patients.
After crizotinib was included in the medical insurance, the threshold for patients to take medication was greatly reduced. Combined with local supplementary medical insurance or charity drug donation programs, the annual out-of-pocket expenses of some patients can be further reduced. At the same time, the price advantage of the overseas version provides an alternative option for patients with financial difficulties.
The price and efficacy of crizotinib balance the quality of life and economic burden of patients, and the popularization of medical insurance policies and generic drugs has created more possibilities for precision treatment of lung cancer. Patients need to choose the most suitable treatment plan based on genetic test results, medical insurance policies and financial ability.
