China Medical News

China has included 17 more cancer drugs in its national basic medical insurance program, the latest progress in government efforts to make drugs more affordable for cancer patients.

The patented drugs are among 44 cancer drugs selected by the National Healthcare Security Administration in June for negotiations on lowering their prices and inclusion in the list of drugs eligible for reimbursement through the medical insurance program, the administration said on Oct 10.

The retail prices of the 17 drugs will fall by about 57% on average, and most of the imported drugs will become cheaper than in neighboring countries and regions, the administration said. For example, the price of Erbitux, a drug produced by German pharmaceutical company Merck to treat rectal cancer, has been reduced to 1,295 yuan ($187) a bottle, down from around 4,200 yuan last year.

As the drugs will become reimbursable after being included in the medical insurance program, patients are expected to spend even less on them, the administration said. (Source: China Daily)

Full list of 17 drugs to be covered by China's national insurance (Source: FiercePharma)