China proposes 50% reimbursement for chronic disease therapies

China’s Premier Li Keqiang called for a 50% reimbursement rate to be implemented this year for outpatient drugs for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, clarifying plans for inclusion of the drugs into the medical insurance system. The government would cover half the cost of the drugs, which could then see a further price cut during pricing negotiations with the drug's sponsors.

At a press conference following the annual session of the National People's Congress on Friday, Li said that 400 million patients with diabetes and high blood pressure could benefit from the change...