China initiated its annual negotiations for selecting medicines to be included in the national medical insurance system, with this year's process seeing the inclusion of 168 drugs entering the bidding phase.
The current selection, as outlined by the National Healthcare Security Administration, encompasses a wide spectrum of medications. This range includes anti-tumor drugs and treatments for both rare and chronic diseases, indicating a comprehensive approach to health care coverage.
The outcomes of these negotiations are anticipated to be disclosed around December, a Xinhua report revealed. Drugs that successfully pass through this bidding process will be added to China’s national medical insurance catalogue. This catalogue, which undergoes annual updates, serves as a reference for medicines covered under the country’s medical insurance.
According to recent data, over 80% of new drugs are incorporated into the catalogue within two years of their market introduction. The catalogue currently comprises 2,967 medicines, covering various areas of clinical treatment and catering to a broad spectrum of medical needs.
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