China to include more anti-cancer drugs in medical insurance program

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More anti-cancer drugs are now readily available in China, and at cheaper prices. After price negotiations, and a slew of new drug approvals, treating cancer is easier than ever, especially for the nearly 4 million people expected to develop some form of cancer this year.

China's National Health Commission, National Healthcare Security Administration, Finance Ministry and Medical Products Administration at a joint news briefing on cancer treatment and drugs in Beijing, February 19, 2019. /CGTN Photo

Last year, the government added 17 such drugs to the national basic medical insurance program following price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. China's top medical security authority says that move has already benefited over 44,000 people, reducing their drug-cost burden by 75 percent.

Xiong Xianping, a division director at the National Healthcare Security Administration told reporters: "By the end of 2018, the total purchase value of the 17 drugs in China's health institutions and pharmacies was 562 million yuan. That's 918 million yuan cheaper than pre-negotiation prices. 44,600 people have since gotten reimbursed for these drugs."

Since 2015, China has added 34 drugs to its national basic medical insurance program. The medicines are mostly for the treatment of lung, breast and stomach cancer, and are reimbursable. The government promises to include more, while speeding up approvals for new anti-cancer drugs.

"In 2018, we approved 18 new anti-cancer drugs, compared to seven the previous year. These include new drugs from overseas markets, as well as some created by Chinese companies. We have also expedited average approval time from 24 to 12 months," said Wang Ping from the National Medical Products Administration.

An estimated 3.8 million new cancer cases are reported in China every year. Combined efforts by health and tax authorities are helping to make cancer drugs more affordable.