China adds 114 drugs to national medical insurance list

The country’s commercial insurance innovative drug list now has 19 medications.

China announced that its national medical insurance drug list now has 114 drugs and its commercial insurance innovative drug list now has 19 medications, according to the country’s National Healthcare Security Administration.

Amongst the added 114 drugs, 50 are innovative pharmaceuticals, it said. 

It has incorporated certain medications that fill the gaps in basic medical insurance coverage, such as drugs for major diseases, rare diseases, and chronic conditions, it added.

The commercial insurance innovative drug list included 19 drugs for the treatment of tumors, rare diseases, and Alzheimer's, amongst others.

China’s medical insurance authority has adjusted the list for eight years in a row, increasing the total number of medications to 3,253 and to improve coverage in oncology, chronic diseases, mental illnesses, rare diseases, and pediatric medications.