A total of 126 drugs in China will be incorporated into the catalog of medicines covered by medical insurance in 2024, including 15 rare disease drugs, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) on Wednesday.

The new list will cover 3,088 drugs, of which 1,698 will be Western ones and 1,390 will be Chinese patent medicines.

The 15 drugs, covering 16 rare diseases, including Gaucher disease and myasthenia gravis, are estimated to enhance accessibility and affordability for 10,000 rare disease patients and their families.

Other drugs target tumors, COVID-19, anti-infectives and chronic diseases such as diabetes, mental illness and rheumatism.

It is expected to reduce the burden on patients by more than 40 billion yuan in the next two years, according to the NHSA.

It added that this year's adjustment provides greater support for innovative drugs.

Since the NHSA was established in 2018, China has adjusted the catalog of medicines covered by medical insurance for six consecutive years.