Innovative therapy within reach for patients

The National Reimbursement Drug List (2025 Edition) was released yesterday, and now includes Lilly’s GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2DM inadequately controlled by metformin and/or sulfonylureas. The updated list will officially take effect Jan. 1, 2026. 

“Within less than one year of tirzepatide’s launch, its successful inclusion in NRDL underscores Lilly’s unwavering commitment to expanding patient access and our proactive alignment with national healthcare priorities.” said Huzur Devletsah, Lilly Group vice president and China division general manager. Devletsah was attending the 2025 High-Quality Development Conference on Innovative Drugs to deliver a speech as the pharmaceutical multinational companies’ representative for the updated NRDL negotiations.

“As metabolic disorders emerge as a major public health burden, inclusion in the NRDL enables a broad patient population to obtain a first-in-class, globally innovative high-quality therapy at more affordable prices. Tirzepatide’s inclusion in the NRDL is expected to improve both patient initiation and long-term use, and in turn improve health outcomes and quality of life. As a global leading medicine company, Lilly will continue to accelerate the introduction of breakthrough medicines and support the implementation of national policies to ensure the benefits of scientific innovation reach Chinese patients swiftly and equitably.” 

There are about 148 million people living with type 2 diabetes in China. Only 50.1% of adult patients with diabetes in China met the management target. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. It can act on multiple organs that contribute to the pathophysiology of T2DM to improve glycemic control. Its inclusion in the NRDL will markedly expand patient access, allowing a significantly large number of individuals with T2DM to benefit from this important innovation.