The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

China plans additions to National Reimbursement Drug List:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-china-drugs-idUKKBN15A0LX

Inclusion on the NRDL means a drug is accessible through state insurance schemes, making it affordable to mass-market consumers. Any new drug approved for sale since the last update of the list in 2009 was until now largely paid for out-of-pocket by patients. Most additions to the list, currently just over 2,000 strong, will be traditional Chinese medicines, but roughly 130 are expected to be modern drugs.

"…drugs on the list can be reimbursed up to 80 percent depending on local implementation," said Jordan Liu, Shanghai-based associate principal at healthcare research and services company QuintilesIMS.

… "It's pretty much the most important list to get on. Being added can really mean sales of a drug skyrocket," said a Shanghai-based executive at a large British drugmaker.