Chapter 192: Imported Drugs and Domestic Generic Drugs, The Ruthless Husband
For ordinary people, the most feared disease is cancer.
Because in many people's minds, cancer represents death and terminal illness.
"This is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, not cancer. Although some call it 'green cancer', it is not as terrifying as cancer. However, with the current level of medical science, this disease requires lifelong medication and cannot be completely cured yet."
Director Jia explained to her.
After hearing this, the girl's face turned a shade paler, and her expression became somewhat desolate.
This outcome was slightly better than she had anticipated, but the term 'green cancer' still brought significant psychological pressure to her.
Especially hearing that the disease was incurable and required lifelong medication, it was like a bolt from the blue for anyone.
"Old Jia, please prescribe medicine for me! I thought it was cancer, this diagnosis is much better than I expected." No matter how one looked at it, it seemed she was forcing a smile.
Director Jia did not rush to prescribe her medication but continued to analyze her condition.
"Your disease is currently in an acute phase, with disturbances in water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Fortunately, there is no intestinal perforation yet, which is something to be grateful for. You need to be particularly cautious about transmural inflammatory lesions. It can penetrate the full layer of the intestinal wall to tissues or organs outside the intestine, forming a fistula. If you experience severe discomfort, you must come to the hospital for a check-up promptly."
Once an internal fistula forms, it may connect to other intestinal segments, mesentery, bladder, ureter, or a particular area of the peritoneum.
If an external fistula forms, it can lead to the abdominal wall or the skin around the anus.
If the condition progresses to this stage, the cost of treatment and the patient's level of suffering will significantly increase.
Therefore, for any disease, once discovered, one must overcome fear and receive timely and correct treatment.
One cannot delay.
Every delay means allowing the disease to worsen.
For example, chronic kidney disease should be treated urgently when urinary protein abnormality increases, as the treatment outcomes at this stage are relatively ideal.
If delayed to the advanced stage, both kidneys might atrophy, and at that point, apart from kidney transplant and dialysis, there will be no other options left. Typically, kidney damage is irreversible.
Some people's uremia is literally dragged out by delays.
"Let me tell you about the treatment options. Currently, there are no intestinal perforation, abscess, intestinal obstruction, or fistulas; these severe conditions are not present. So, surgery is not required for now; taking medication will suffice. The drugs for treating this disease are also made domestically to some extent, but the research level, production techniques of Western medicine abroad are much better than ours. Currently, our country produces generics, so if conditions allow, I recommend you take imported drugs."
Director Jia was very careful when saying these words.
Perhaps it was because he saw how young she was, and it would be such a pity if a delay caused by ineffective drugs occurred.
"Of course, if your financial situation isn't great, you can try the domestic generics first."
Director Jia also knew this girl was young and alone, with likely limited financial resources.
It's just a doctor's parental instinct.
Doctors always want to recommend the best treatment option to their patients.
Many people know that India's generics are famous, but our country's pharmaceutical level is not bad.
It's just that some drugs are protected by intellectual property and patent rights, which is why there are no generics.
However, we must admit that there is a significant gap between our country and developed countries in terms of medical devices, consumables, and Western medicine.
For instance, in the case of artificial blood vessels, domestic ones, when implanted in the human body, show more severe calcification and degradation; their patency rates are also inferior to those from abroad. There are some minor differences in usability and lifespan.
So, the gap is quite large.
Even many surgeons, especially when dealing with critically ill patients, prefer to use imported critical consumables and medications.
"I came from another province specifically to see you because I trust you. Since you strongly recommend that I use imported medicines, I will definitely consider it first. If it exceeds my financial capacity, then there's nothing I can do."
She was quite straightforward.
"Using imported medication once can last about two months, costing about 15,000 per time. Do you think you can accept that?"
7,500 per month is a significant financial burden.
Director Jia stated this and quietly waited for the girl to make her own decision.
"What about the treatment with domestic drugs? How much does it cost per time?"
The girl heard the high treatment cost, obviously much higher than her expected price point.
"It's about 5,000 per time, this treatment price may fluctuate, it's not fixed. Using domestic drugs, there's fear of complications or not being able to control the disease's progression, which would be troublesome."
Director Jia provided his guidance.
The patient has the choice of which treatment method to use, the doctor cannot directly decide.
Usually, the pros and cons are stated, allowing the patient to make their own choice.
Often, some patients who come for consultation, upon hearing they need to be hospitalized for surgery, or have a fistula created on their body, or that the medication can only control or delay the progression of the disease, they would choose to give up treatment.
Or after leaving, they would turn to traditional Chinese medicine or try folk remedies on their own.
"I'll still use imported drugs! As long as my body doesn't collapse, if my salary from work isn't enough, I can set up a stall or take part-time jobs after work. I just hope that the medical level advances further, and someday drugs that can completely cure this disease will be developed."