China adds 91 drugs to national medical insurance list

The price of the newly included drugs will drop by an average of 63%.

China’s National Healthcare Security Administration has updated its national medical insurance drug list, adding 91 new drugs and removing 43.

The newly added medications cover treatments for tumours, chronic conditions such as diabetes, rare diseases, anti-infective conditions, and psychiatric disorders. 

The price of the newly included drugs will drop by an average of 63%, reducing patient costs by over $7b in 2025. 

This marks the seventh consecutive year the list has been revised, bringing the total number of covered medications to 3,159. 

The revisions aim to expand access to treatments for chronic diseases, rare diseases, and pediatric conditions. 

The updated list will take effect nationwide on 1 January 2025.