Imagine saving billions on your meds! 💊💰 China’s doing just that, and it’s a total game-changer for patients across the country. As of October 2024, China’s drug price negotiation program has saved patients over 880 billion yuan (about $112.4 billion). That's like hitting the healthcare jackpot! 🎉
At a press conference in Beijing last Thursday, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) dropped some major news: drugs covered by China's medical insurance via price negotiations have been accessed more than 830 million times. That's a lot of people getting the meds they need without breaking the bank! 🏥❤️
So, what's the secret sauce? 🤔 China’s been hustling to make meds more affordable through bulk procurement and price negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. By leveraging the purchasing power of healthcare insurance authorities, they’ve managed to negotiate better prices based on national medical insurance usage volumes. Talk about smart shopping! 🛍️🧠
But wait, there's more! 🚀 The NHSA credited the annual update system for the medical insurance drug catalog, introduced in 2018, for speeding up access to innovative medications. This means new and effective drugs are hitting the shelves faster, letting insured individuals benefit sooner from the latest in medical science. Science FTW! 🥼🔬
And the cherry on top? 🍒 The NHSA just announced 91 new additions to the national medical insurance drug list, bumping the total to 3,159 drugs. This massively boosts coverage for chronic diseases, rare diseases, and pediatric medications. More meds for more people = major win! 👶👵💓
It’s stories like these that show how smart policies can make a real difference in people's lives. Here's to more affordable healthcare and happier, healthier communities! 🥳🌟
Reference(s):
China's drug price negotiation program saves billions for patients
cgtn.com
