Irinotecan Pricing Information Not Available in Clinical Guidelines
I cannot provide pricing information for a 20mg vial of Irinotecan in [LOCATION] because pharmaceutical pricing data is not included in clinical practice guidelines, drug labels, or the medical literature provided.
Why This Information Is Unavailable
- Clinical practice guidelines from ESMO, NCCN, and other major oncology societies focus exclusively on clinical efficacy, safety, and treatment protocols—not drug acquisition costs 1
- The research evidence provided addresses cost-effectiveness analyses comparing treatment regimens, not actual pharmaceutical pricing 2, 3, 4
- Drug pricing varies dramatically by country, healthcare system, insurance coverage, pharmacy, manufacturer contracts, and whether generic formulations are available
What the Evidence Does Show About Irinotecan Costs
- Cost-effectiveness studies indicate substantial variation in total treatment costs: One French study reported total healthcare costs ranging from $12,192 to $14,135 USD per patient for second-line therapy, with irinotecan-based regimens costing more than 5-FU infusion alone 2
- The cost-effectiveness ratio for irinotecan versus 5-FU was $9,344 to $10,137 USD per year of added survival, which the authors considered reasonable compared to other cancer treatments 2
- A 2022 study reported total medical direct costs of approximately $54,742 USD over 2 years for dose-escalated irinotecan plus bevacizumab regimens, though this includes all treatment costs, not just drug acquisition 3
How to Obtain Actual Pricing
To find the actual cost of a 20mg irinotecan vial in your location, you must:
- Contact local hospital or outpatient pharmacy procurement departments directly
- Check with pharmaceutical wholesalers or distributors in your region
- Review national drug formularies or pricing databases specific to your country's healthcare system
- Contact the manufacturer or authorized distributors for current pricing
- Check whether generic irinotecan formulations are available, as these are typically substantially less expensive than branded products
Important note: Irinotecan is typically dosed at 180 mg/m² in standard FOLFIRI regimens 5, 6, meaning a 20mg vial would represent only a small fraction of a single dose for most patients, and multiple vials would be required per treatment cycle.