Summary of Key Points
The 2026 National Essential Medicines List (hereinafter referred to as the "Essential Medicines List") was officially released on July 9th, comprising a total of 794 medications. This edition includes 116 new additions compared to the previous version (such as the popular innovative drugs semaglutide and osimertinib), with only 2 chemical drugs being removed. Being included in the Essential Medicines List means that the medications will have priority in being supplied to primary healthcare institutions, which could lead to increased sales for pharmaceutical companies. However, there are also challenges such as difficulties in distribution and unclear assessment policies.
I. What Are the New Additions to the New Edition of the List? – Innovative Drugs Make Their Debut
Many of the 116 new medications added to the list are well-known drugs among the public or patients:
- Diabetes: The GLP-1 class drug semaglutide, which is effective for both lowering blood sugar and aiding in weight loss, has been included for the first time.
- Cancer: Targeted lung cancer drug osimertinib (a third-generation EGFR-TKI for gene mutation treatment), anti-angiogenic drug bevacizumab (used to treat various cancers), and PARP inhibitor olaparib (for ovarian cancer, among others) have also been added.
- Immune System: Drugs such as taltasip (for lupus erythematosus) and adalimumab (for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis) are also part of the list.
Only 2 chemical drugs were removed; either because their approval numbers were revoked or because they were rarely used in clinical practice and have been replaced by other medications.
II. Why Were Innovative Drugs Included in the Essential Medicines List? – Policy Shift towards Making Good Medications More Accessible to the Public
In the past, the Essential Medicines List focused more on traditional, older drugs. The inclusion of innovative drugs this time is due to two main reasons:
1. Rapid Development of Domestic Innovations: In recent years, Chinese pharmaceutical companies have developed more new drugs in areas such as oncology and neurology, providing patients with more options.
2. Policy Experimentation: The National Health Commission stated that this move is an attempt to "explore ways to include more innovative drugs in the Essential Medicines List" so that patients in primary care settings can also access the latest and best treatments without having to go to large hospitals.
Experts from Shanghai have noted that most of the newly added medications are recent releases, indicating that the selection process for the list has become more scientific and dynamic. The criteria now consider efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and actual usage patterns, rather than solely relying on the age of the drugs.
III. Can Pharmaceutical Companies Earn More Money by Being Included in the Essential Medicines List? – It's Like Getting a Ticket to the Primary Market
For pharmaceutical companies, being included in the Essential Medicines List is a significant advantage:
- Mandatory Procurement Requirements: Primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals are required to stock a certain percentage of essential medicines (for example, over 78% at the primary level). Being on the list allows companies to reach a wider range of hospitals, especially in the primary care market.
- Increased Sales: For instance, once Novo Nordisk's semaglutide is included in the list, it can be sold in primary hospitals, expanding its customer base and potentially increasing sales.
- Positive Company Responses: At least 8 A-share listed pharmaceutical companies have announced that their products have been added to the list. For example, Hansson Pharmaceutical's exclusive oral medicine Simo Tang and Xingqi Eye Medicine's four eye medications have both stated that this will help them expand into the primary care market.
In short, being on the Essential Medicines List grants companies priority in supplying medicines to primary hospitals, potentially leading to increased sales and market share.
IV. Will the Medications Really Reach Patients? – Two Challenges Remain
Although being included in the list is a positive development, there are still obstacles to overcome:
1. Distribution Issues: Distributing medications to hospitals in remote areas can be costly, and profit margins have been reduced due to centralized procurement, which may discourage distributors from delivering the drugs, potentially leading to supply disruptions.
2. Unclear Assessment Policies: The previous version of the list required primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals to stock 90%, 80%, and 60% of essential medicines, respectively (known as the "986 medication stocking rate"). It is not yet clear whether this policy will continue in the new edition, leaving companies uncertain about their future prospects.
In summary, this update to the Essential Medicines List represents a step forward in making good medications more accessible and affordable for the public. The inclusion of innovative drugs provides patients with more choices, and pharmaceutical companies have opportunities to expand into the primary care market. However, to truly benefit patients, issues related to distribution and policy implementation must be addressed.
For the general public, this means that medications like semaglutide and osimertinib may soon be available at community hospitals, eliminating the need to travel to large hospitals for treatment.