The price of the skin treatment cream Lu Mison/Triclosan cream has soared in China, rising from 30 yuan to 800 yuan. Industry insiders revealed that this imported medicine has faced shortages since the beginning of the year due to the need for re-approval by the regulatory drug supervision department, and it is uncertain when it can be re-imported. This news has become a hot topic on September 9th.
According to various media reports including “Red Star News,” on September 8th, a single box (10g/tube) of Lu Mison was already being sold on e-commerce platforms for around 800 yuan.
Information from a Chinese pharmaceutical information query platform shows that the reference price of this drug is between 34 yuan and 43 yuan per tube. Based on this calculation, the price has increased by more than 22 times compared to the previous lowest price.
An employee of Ningbo Langsheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., responsible for Lu Mison in China, revealed on September 8th that this drug is an original imported medicine and faced shortages since the first half of the year. The reason is that the triclosan raw material supplier underwent changes, requiring procedural changes. Importation can only resume after approval by the drug regulatory department, but the exact time of restoration is uncertain. It is recommended that patients consult with their doctors to switch to other medications.
Dr. Su Qianya, Deputy Chief Physician of the Dermatology Department at Zhongda Hospital affiliated with Southeast University, told “Modern Express” that there are currently various drug combinations that can be used as alternatives based on the actual condition of the patient. Doctors can evaluate and choose Lu Mison cream, or other super potent corticosteroids such as betamethasone, clobetasol, and combine them with antimicrobial drugs such as mupirocin and fusidic acid based on the condition.
Pharmacies in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other places stated to “Red Star News” on September 8th that Lu Mison cream from other brands like Aoneng and Fusong are available offline but require a prescription and identification to purchase.
Public data shows that Lu Mison/Triclosan cream is a compound preparation with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, vasoconstrictive, and anti-proliferative effects, which can treat various types and locations of inflammatory skin diseases.