China is making significant strides in the healthcare sector by adding 13 rare-disease drugs to its latest medical insurance catalog. This expansion brings the total number of rare medicines covered by medical insurance in the country to over 90, providing increased accessibility and affordability for patients across the nation.
The newly included drugs target conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, intractable epilepsy, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Historically, rare diseases have received limited attention in the healthcare field due to their low incidence rates, a small patient population, and the high costs associated with research and development. However, through collaborative efforts among various agencies, China has accelerated the development of pathways to prevent and treat these diseases.
Since its establishment, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has adjusted the national medical insurance catalog for seven consecutive years, progressively broadening the scope of coverage. Recent additions include treatments for spinal muscular atrophy, Gaucher disease, and myasthenia gravis.
\"It is an expectation shared by both doctors and patients to see more high-quality and life-saving medicines added to the country's medical insurance,\" said Zhang Shuyang, president of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
In addition to expanding the list of reimbursed drugs, China has also advanced its national collaboration network for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. As of October 2024, more than 400 medical institutions have joined this network, which features medical referral and telemedicine mechanisms, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all provincial-level regions.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
