China Medical News

China will add 111 drugs to its national medical reimbursement list this year, with a focus on including treatments for infections, COVID-19 drugs and advanced medications for children's diseases and tumors, the National Healthcare Security Administration said on Wednesday. Among them, 108 drugs were added following successful negotiations with manufacturers, with average prices slashed by 60.1%, Huang Xinyu, an official with the administration, said during a news conference.

Meanwhile, three drugs whose licenses have been revoked will be removed from the list, putting the total number of drugs on the list at 2,967, including 1,586 western (chemical/biological) drugs and 1,381 Chinese patent medicines.

The latest update includes 56 drugs for chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension, psychoactive disease, etc.), 23 for tumor, 17 for anti-infection, 7 for rare diseases, and two for COVID-19. The two COVID-19 drugs are Azvudine, a homegrown oral pill, and Qingfei Paidu granules, a traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, all COVID-19 therapies, including antiviral drugs, are covered by the national medical insurance program under temporary measures that will expire on March 31. (Source: China Daily)