China Expands National Medical Reimbursement List with 91 New Drugs

The National Healthcare Security Administration of China announced on Thursday that 91 new drugs will be added to the national medical reimbursement list next year. This expansion aims to improve access to essential medications for patients with various conditions.

The new additions include 26 cancer drugs, 17 treatments for diabetes and other chronic diseases, 13 for rare diseases, seven anti-infection medicines, and four psychiatric drugs. This diverse range of medications reflects the administration's commitment to addressing a wide spectrum of healthcare needs.

Simultaneously, 43 outdated or less effective drugs will be removed from the list. This ensures that patients have access to the most advanced and effective treatments available.

With the addition of these new drugs, the total number of medicines on the list reaches 3,159, including 1,765 Western medicines and 1,394 traditional Chinese medicines. This comprehensive list provides patients with a wide range of options for managing their health conditions.

Significantly, 89 of the newly added drugs were included after price negotiations or bidding with drug manufacturers. This resulted in an average price cut of 63%, making these essential medications more affordable for patients.

The new list will take effect on January 1, 2025, and is expected to save patients over 50 billion yuan ($6.9 billion) next year. This substantial cost reduction will significantly improve the financial accessibility of healthcare for millions of Chinese citizens.