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Fruquintinib treatment in ChinaThe same cancer medicine,
at a potentially much lower drug cost.

If you are looking for further treatment for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer, published fruquintinib prices in China provide a concrete basis for exploring lower out-of-pocket drug costs. Specialists in Shanghai who participated in pivotal studies can review your treatment history and discuss medication, monitoring and prescription renewals.

Explore my drug costs and treatment options See the specific advantages

Free initial service consultation · Understand your options and budget before you travel

The same fruquintinib · The same quantity: 5mg × 21 capsules
Elunate in China · Calculated from a published 2025 price
RMB ¥7,541.10, 5mg × 7 capsules × 3 boxes
FRUZAQLA in the US · July 2024 wholesale list price
US $25,200, 5mg × 21 capsules × 1 bottle

The years and sales channels differ; the US wholesale list price is not an individual's out-of-pocket cost after insurance. Neither figure represents the full cost of treatment or a current international patient quote. Actual savings depend on your prescription, insurance and travel costs to China. View the evidence

¥7,541 is the approximate published 2025 price for 5mg × 21 capsules. The US comparator is a 2024 wholesale list price, not a same-day or post-insurance comparison. Figures assume no insurance or patient assistance and are not full-course costs or international patient quotes. View sources

Explore lower ongoing costs for the same medicine

If you pay the full cost of ongoing treatment yourself, published Chinese fruquintinib prices differ substantially from historical US wholesale list prices. Shanghai gastrointestinal oncology specialists' research experience can help you discuss your budget alongside your next treatment.

Potential to reduce drug spending

Elunate in China and FRUZAQLA in the US contain the same active drug. Published prices differ substantially when compared for the same quantity of 5mg × 21 capsules. If local insurance covers most of your medication, compare your actual out-of-pocket costs with the total cost of travelling to China.

Discuss an oral targeted option for further treatment

Fruquintinib offers an oral targeted treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer that meets prior-treatment requirements. Your doctor determines the dose, duration and monitoring; do not replace your current regimen on your own.

Find Shanghai specialists involved in this medicine's research

Li Jin and Qin Shukui co-led the phase III FRESCO study, published in JAMA. A specialist assessment should also consider whether your current treatment remains effective, whether local treatment is needed, and how monitoring and prescription renewals will be coordinated.

View approval, research and price sources for this page

Compare the drug cost for the same 21 capsules

Published Chinese drug prices are shown on a fully self-funded basis for foreign patients without Chinese health insurance or free-drug assistance, alongside historical US wholesale list prices. Match the drug, strength and quantity first, then compare your actual spending.

China: Elunate 5mg × 7 capsules
RMB ¥2,513.70 per box; published by Quzhou People's Hospital on 2025-07-02
China: 3 boxes, totalling 5mg × 21 capsules
RMB ¥7,541.10; rounded to ¥7,541 in the opening section
US: FRUZAQLA 5mg × 21 capsules
US $25,200 per bottle; Takeda's historical wholesale list price, 2024-07
Exchange rate and conversion of the historical US price
2026-09-30: US $1 = RMB 6.7351; equivalent to RMB ¥169,724.52 (approximately ¥169,725 / RMB 169,700)
Arithmetic difference between the two published prices
Approximately 95.6%, calculated using the historical prices and specified exchange rate above; not a guarantee of individual savings
Other medical and travel costs
Consultations, tests, management of side effects, coordination and interpreting, flights and accommodation are additional

This is neither a same-day 2026 price enquiry nor a comparison of personal costs after insurance. A hospital's published price does not automatically equal an international clinic quote; 21 capsules is a common comparison quantity, not a complete treatment course. The hospital must confirm the actual dose, treatment duration and costs. If local insurance covers most of your medication, include travel, accommodation and ongoing follow-up in the comparison. These figures cannot be used to estimate the cost of a cure.

Explore my complete treatment budget

View approval, research and price sources for this page

Finding treatment that fits you
starts with the reports you already have.

Clarifying your disease type and previous treatment helps establish whether this option could form part of a plan for you.

  • Disease and scope of this pageMetastatic colorectal cancer, focusing on fruquintinib monotherapy as a subsequent treatment.
  • Previous chemotherapyPrevious fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy.
  • Other medicinesPrevious anti-VEGF treatment, or unsuitability for it; for RAS wild-type disease, also review previous anti-EGFR treatment or why it was unsuitable.
  • General health and alternativesAssessment considers performance status, blood pressure, bleeding risk, liver function and other treatment options. Chinese and US prescribing information, prescriptions and supply pathways are separate.

Review the evidence for further oral treatment alongside your history

Fruquintinib inhibits VEGF receptor-related pathways and is intended for eligible patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. The reasons to consider China concern access and cost, not better efficacy of the same medicine in China.

Pivotal studies
FRESCO, FRESCO-2 and other studies form the evidence base for previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer; FRESCO was a phase III study published in JAMA.
Uses in China and the US
Marketed as Elunate in China and FRUZAQLA in the US; the FDA approved the relevant use in 2023.
Your treatment goals
Discuss treatment goals, the appropriate stage of use and follow-up requirements in light of previous treatment, current disease status and your general health.

Approvals and study results do not guarantee individual response, cure or survival; the two countries' prescribing information and prescription requirements must be checked separately.

View approval, research and price sources for this page

In Shanghai, let specialist experience
help inform your next step.

Explore Shanghai teams whose research and clinical focus relate to your condition and may warrant further discussion.

Public portrait of Professor Li Jin, Shanghai East Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University

Li Jin

Gastrointestinal oncology specialist · Co-lead investigator of FRESCO

Shanghai East Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University

Shanghai East Hospital's gastrointestinal oncology work includes medical treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and research into new anticancer drugs. Li Jin and Qin Shukui co-led the phase III fruquintinib FRESCO study, making this a relevant specialist assessment route for discussing further treatment, the need for local treatment, monitoring and prescription renewals. Published research experience does not confirm a partnership, drug supply or an appointment. The hospital must confirm the treating team, prescription, schedule and international patient charges.

Learn about this Shanghai team

Published research and clinical information can inform hospital selection; specific doctors, drug availability, international clinic charges and appointment dates are subject to confirmation by the hospital.

You do not need to book flights first.
Clarify treatment and costs before you travel.

Tell us your diagnosis, previous treatments and main concerns. We help you communicate about Shanghai consultation requirements, budgets and travel arrangements.

  • Bring pathology and molecular test reports so a doctor can assess whether the subsequent treatment described here fits your situation.
  • List each line of medication chronologically, with start and stop dates, response and reason for stopping.
  • Prepare recent imaging, blood tests, current medication and blood pressure records to support a monitoring plan.
  • Tell us your country, local insurance and prescription renewal arrangements so actual out-of-pocket costs and medication after returning home can be compared.
  • Before departure, confirm the hospital assessment, any additional tests, and itemised medical and coordination service budgets. Then arrange flights, accommodation, interpreting, follow-up after returning home, medication supply and emergency contacts. You do not need to arrange new tests yourself for an initial consultation.

Start the first conversation with the records you already have.

You do not need to arrange new tests yourself for an initial consultation.

Download the records checklist

Get answers to the questions that matter to you
before you travel.

Costs, potential benefit and further treatment deserve specific answers before departure.

With the lower Chinese price, am I getting the same medicine?

This page compares the same active drug, fruquintinib: Elunate in China and FRUZAQLA in the US. Obtain it on prescription through authorised hospitals or pharmacies; strengths and availability depend on local authorisation. Prescribing information and supply pathways are separate in the two countries.

Does ¥7,541 cover a complete treatment course?

No. This is an approximate calculation from a published 2025 Chinese price for 5mg × 21 capsules; the exact amount is ¥7,541.10. Actual dose, treatment cycles, tests, follow-up and other costs are calculated separately. It is not an international patient quote and cannot be used to estimate the cost of a cure.

Am I guaranteed to save the same percentage by coming to China?

No. Approximately 95.6% is the difference between a published 2025 Chinese price and a 2024 US wholesale list price using the exchange rate on 2026-09-30; it does not represent individual savings. Compare your actual local costs after insurance with fully self-funded care in China, return travel, accommodation and ongoing follow-up.

Can I return home and continue oral treatment?

First establish the initial assessment, prescription, blood pressure monitoring and other tests. Your doctor assesses fitness to return home, after which prescription renewals, follow-up and your country's rules for carrying and using medicines must be confirmed. Oral treatment still requires monitoring.

What risks should I watch for during treatment?

Possible effects include hypertension, hand-foot skin reactions, proteinuria and liver injury, with risks including serious bleeding. Your doctor should explain monitoring, dose adjustments and alternatives in the context of your health.

Plan further medication with a clearer understanding of its costs.

Starting with your condition and budget, we help communicate about consultations and treatment arrangements in Shanghai.

The initial service consultation is free; the treating doctor assesses your specific medical plan.

Explore my drug costs and treatment options patient.services@eastmedgo.com
Sources and image credits

Information is compiled from public approval documents, studies and prices and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Research and cost figures each have a defined scope; published prices are not personal international patient quotes. Costs are discussed on a self-funded basis without Chinese health insurance or free-drug assistance.

  1. Quzhou People's Hospital · Drug prices published 2025-07-02 · 2025-07-02
  2. Takeda US · Strengths and wholesale list prices, 2024-07 · 2024-07
  3. State Administration of Foreign Exchange · Exchange rate, 2026-09-30 · 2026-09-30
  4. HUTCHMED · Approved indications for Elunate · Retaining the verification dated 2026-10-02
  5. FDA · Fruquintinib approval and study evidence · 2023
  6. Tongji University School of Medicine · Research experience and photograph · Retaining the verification dated 2026-10-02
  7. Shanghai East Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University · Specialty information · Retaining the verification dated 2026-10-02

Portrait photograph:Hospital's public professional profile. Public accessibility does not constitute a commercial image licence.

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