More drugs covered by health insurance

Writer: Wang Jingli  |  Editor: Zhang Chanwen  |  From: Shenzhen Daily  |  Updated: 2023-03-03

Shenzhen has implemented the updated catalog (2023 version) of listed drugs covered by Guangdong Province’s health insurance funds starting Wednesday, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

The number of drugs included in the updated insurance list for Guangdong residents reached 6,294, including 1,586 chemical drugs and 1,381 traditional Chinese ones.

At present, a total of 45 drugs for treating 26 rare diseases have been included in the list which added seven more drugs to treat rare diseases such as multiple sclerosis, pulmonary hypertension and hereditary angioedema than the previous version.

Additionally, the list added 22 pediatric drugs, including 13 pediatric multivitamin injections and cyclosporine eye drops.

Due to the high costs of developing pediatric drugs, the country still sees a severe shortage of pediatric drugs. The insurance list’s adjustment can further guarantee the public use of pediatric drugs to make it more available for children, said the report.

It is worth noticing that the price of the Risdiplam Powder for Oral Solution for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) dropped by over 94.08% after negotiation. With the implementation of the updated list, more patients with rare diseases can access affordable treatment options.

The updated list also expanded the range of reimbursement for patients. For example, normal osteoporosis patients now can have the medical expense for the drug alfacalcidol reimbursed.