China's National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) announced in mid-January the drugs added to the 2022 NRDL. In exchange for drug reimbursement, an average price cut of about 60% was accepted by these drug companies. Added drugs included – 6 rare diseases, 18 anti-infectives, 25 cancer drugs, and 55 chronic disease drugs. For COVID infections, Merck's Lagevrio was added, but Pfizer's Paxlovid was not. Some foreign drug companies decide not to enter China's NRDL to avoid price reductions.
The logic of the NRDL is if it is not possible to reimburse all drugs, it is important to reimburse drugs for basic medical care. NRDL drugs must be clinically necessary, safe, effective, reasonably priced, and have a secure supply. The NRDL is adjusted annually and now includes more children's drugs and treatments for rare diseases. Please note, there are additional inclusion criteria to be eligible for the NRDL. Finally, to get on the NRDL, drugs are added via – 1. Inclusion via bidding or 2. Inclusion via negotiation.
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Ames Gross
President
Pacific Bridge Medical
Bethesda, MD
www.pacificbridgemedical.comcontact@pacificbridgemedical.com------------------------------