Big relief for critically ill patients

91 drugs to be added to national medical reimbursement list beginning Jan 1

China will add 91 drugs to its national medical reimbursement list next year, including a record 38 innovative drugs amid a national push to spur drug innovation, the National Healthcare Security Administration said on Thursday.

The latest update includes 26 cancer drugs, 15 treatments for diabetes and other chronic diseases, 13 for rare diseases, seven anti-infection medicines and four psychiatric drugs.

Meanwhile, 43 drugs that have been replaced by more advanced medicines or that have not been produced for a long time will be removed from the list.