China expands medical insurance to bolster rare disease treatment access

China's commitment to improving healthcare for rare disease patients has taken a significant leap forward, with the latest update to the national medical insurance catalogue now covering 13 additional treatments for rare conditions. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

This brings the total number of such therapies under insurance coverage to over 90, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).

The revised catalogue, developed in collaboration with various governmental bodies, includes medicines targeting conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, refractory epilepsy, and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. These updates aim to address the unique challenges of rare diseases, including low prevalence, limited patient numbers, and the high costs of research and development.

This initiative is part of broader efforts to make life-saving treatments more accessible and affordable for patients nationwide.

In addition to increasing insurance coverage, China has strengthened its national network for rare disease diagnosis and treatment. As of October 2024, more than 400 medical institutions have joined the network, which features referral systems, telemedicine services, and comprehensive coverage across all provincial-level regions.

These initiatives ensure better access to specialised care and foster the development of rare disease research and treatment pathways.

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