This week, China\u2019s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) released two draft documents detailing a plan to adjust the national basic medical insurance, maternity insurance, and work-related injury insurance drug lists and to establish a commercial health insurance innovative drug list for the first time in 2025. The consultation on the plan is open until July 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Establishment of Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug List<\/strong> Negotiated Drug Renewal Rules<\/strong>
In 2025, China will establish the first edition of the Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug List. This list will primarily include innovative drugs that exceed the basic coverage scope and cannot yet be incorporated into the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) but demonstrate high innovation, significant clinical value, and substantial patient benefits. These drugs will be recommended for reference and use by multi-tiered healthcare security systems, such as commercial health insurance and medical mutual aid programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drugs under current negotiation agreements may be transferred to the regular NRDL if they meet either of the following conditions: 1. Non-exclusive drugs (determined by the number of generic versions approved by the National Medical Products Administration, NMPA) as of June 30 of the adjustment year (inclusive). 2. Drugs that have been continuously listed in the “negotiated drugs under agreement” section of the NRDL for eight years as of December 31 of the adjustment year. For example, drugs newly negotiated between 2017 and 2024 will have been listed for 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 year(s), respectively, as of December 31, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n