1 Billion Chinese Domestic Market of Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tablets, Only 2 Companies Produce

1 billion Chinese domestic market of Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, but only two companies produce!

Against the backdrop of the current prevalence of new coronary pneumonia, the old drugs and new drugs, have broken into the field of vision of the public. 

In fact, among the existing clinical drugs, there are many old varieties that are resident in youth and rejuvenated from time to time. 

It is also worth digging and commenting again. 

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are one of them. Do you think it is familiar? 

It is a recently improved variety of chloroquine phosphate, which is currently undergoing clinical trials for new coronary pneumonia.

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate was launched in the United States in 1955 and is used for malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. 

The variety has been approved in more than 70 countries including Canada, France, Germany, Australia, China, and Japan. There are many generic drugs listed in the United States and Europe, but there are only two batches of domestic production: the original research AventisPharmaLimited and the domestic generic manufacturer Shanghai Shangyao Zhongxi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and the main point is to say: 

Shanghai Shangyao Zhongxi Pharmaceutical's hydroxyl sulfate. The sales performance of chloroquine tablets in recent years has been very impressive, with sales of nearly 700 million in 2018 and sales of over 800 million in 2019, accounting for about 80% of the domestic sales of this variety. That is to say, hydroxychloroquine sulfate in China as a whole With a sales volume of about 1 billion yuan, no surprises, no surprises, focus here.

Why is the sales of an old drug so good, and it still maintains a high growth rate, then it must have its uniqueness and irreplaceability in clinical practice. Let's take a closer look.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets, initially an anti-malarial drug, was later found clinically to have mild immunosuppression and immunomodulatory effects. 

At present, hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are widely used in rheumatic diseases, and are commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and connective tissue diseases. 

Digging up the relevant clinical treatment guidelines at home and abroad, it is found that hydroxychloroquine is currently in the field of basic medicine and first-line treatment in the treatment of immune system diseases. Also, it is the cornerstone drug with the highest safety (can be used for a long time and can be used for pregnant women). 

The use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of immune system diseases began in the 1980s, but its clinical status has been widely recognized internationally.

 It has entered various treatment guidelines and expert consensus recommendations in 2016-2019, so its clinical application The application is advanced and authoritative.

According to the content recommended by the treatment guidelines, the clinical application of hydroxychloroquine has the following three characteristics:

1. Among the commonly used anti-rheumatic drugs, hydroxychloroquine does not affect the visceral system

This is why it is recognized as the safest and most commonly used drug for the treatment of rheumatism in the field of rheumatism in the world. 

For adults newly diagnosed with active rheumatoid arthritis: consider using hydroxychloroquine as first-line treatment instead of oral methotrexate, leflunomide or sulfasalazine.

2. Hydroxychloroquine can be used as a basic medication for patients with lupus erythematosus

 It can be used for a long time without contraindications. For patients with lupus erythematosus, if rash, light sensitivity and joint pain are the main manifestations, the effect of applying hydroxychloroquine More obvious. 

For patients with long-term stable lupuserythematosus, it can not only effectively control the disease. But it also reduce the amount of hormones, or even stop the hormones and maintain it with hydroxychloroquine alone.

3. Hydroxychloroquine has protective effects on patients with lupus erythematosus during pregnancy and lactation

The use of hydroxychloroquine can reduce the disease activity of patients with lupus erythematosus in pregnancy, and has no adverse effects on newborns, and the withdrawal of drugs can increase the risk of relapse in pregnant lupus patients by about 2.5 times. 

At the same time, hydroxychloroquine is the only drug currently considered to be the first to treat heart-type neonatal lupus.

 For pregnant women who are anti-SSA / SSB positive, it is recommended to take hydroxychloroquine to reduce the incidence of heart-type neonatal lupus. 

In addition, the secretion of hydroxychloroquine in milk is only 0.35% in the serum, which does not affect breastfeeding. 

Therefore, it can be used throughout the lactation period. 

At the same time, male patients who are pregnant can also use hydroxychloroquine.

Conclusion

1. The current clinical status of hydroxychloroquine will not be easily replaced by newly listed drugs: 

According to the investigation, the biological agents that have been marketed and the JAK inhibitors that have just been marketed cannot be used for hydroxychloroquine in the therapeutic subdivision.

Moreover, in the field of treatment of these immune system diseases, especially lupus erythematosus disease, there are not many available drugs and long-term medication needs to consider drug resistance and safety. 

Comprehensively, they will not be easily replaced and will have a certain market share. The promotion space will also have a longer retention time.

2. The clinical application scope of hydroxychloroquine will be further expanded and its life cycle will be further extended:

Recent foreign studies have shown that hydroxychloroquine treatment of Sjogren's syndrome can also improve immunological indicators and improve some symptoms. 

Studies have also shown that hydroxychloroquine can also be used to treat mixed connective tissue disease, adult Still's disease, nodular panniculitis, primary antiphospholipid syndrome, chronic urticaria, photodermatosis, lichen planus and humans Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, etc. 

Therefore, the scope of clinical application of hydroxychloroquine may be further expanded in the future, and the life cycle of this old variety will be further extended, which deserves our continued attention and expectation.