20 August 2018 - In the recent years, medical reform has taken the centre stage in China. 

In an attempt to reduce high drug prices and improve its medical insurance coverage, the country has initiated a series of new moves, including the recent zero import tax on a range of anticancer drugs, an accelerated approval process for overseas new drug listing, and further encouragement of domestic generic and innovative medicine development.

Riding on this wave of advancements in medical insurance, medical care, and medicine, the country’s healthcare landscape is changing rapidly. The pressing problem of expensive medical treatment is gradually being addressed. So far, the majority of drugs commonly used in the clinical practice with good results has been included in China’s National Reimbursement Drug List. However, some high-priced, life-saving drugs, such as anti-cancer medications, are still a heavy burden to most insured patients. This is an urgent issue for Chinese medical reform.

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