The Boao Lecheng Medical Tourism Pilot Zone reported a significant increase in special drug and device users, up 431% year-on-year (YOY) in 2021. Medical tourist numbers surged 90.57% YOY to 127,300, according to China News, with the area welcoming 40,000 medical tourists in Q1 of this year, marking a 60% YOY increase and reversing earlier downward trends.
Drug and Device Approvals
Lecheng’s administration director Jia Ning stated that the pilot zone has introduced 227 clinically urgently needed drugs and devices ahead of formal mainland approval. Six imported drugs and devices have gained marketing approval in China using real-world data from Lecheng in their clinical filings.
International Collaborations and Expansion
Lecheng has partnered with nearly 80 drug and device manufacturers from 18 countries and developed new medical tourism business formats such as wellness and climate therapy. The zone has also attracted institutions like Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital, which opened a Hainan branch, and Sichuan University’s West China Hospital, expected to be operational by the end of 2022. Additionally, Singapore’s Raffles Medical Group and Japan-based Towako Group have established a presence in the zone.-Fineline Info & Tech
