China Daily:
Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has been granted preferential policies for licensed drugs and medical devices, and has introduced more than 390 types of drugs and devices from overseas, providing more treatment options for domestic patients in urgent need of new medicines. What is Boao Lecheng's current operating situation? What are its development plans and prospects? Thank you.
Xie Jing:
As the only "special medical zone" in China, Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone has consistently adhered to the strategic positioning assigned by the nation and has essentially achieved a supply of innovative medicines and equipment that are in sync with the rest of the world. It has become a city of hope for patients with rare, difficult and complicated diseases to find new medicines, devices and treatments. Over the past five years, the number of medical tourists in the zone has increased by an average of 56% annually, while operating income has increased by an average of 65% per year. Additionally, the number of users of licensed drugs and medical devices has risen by an average of over 200% annually.
Recently, many people may have noticed that a drug for treating ALS, approved for sale in the United States in April last year, was introduced to Ruijin Hainan Hospital in Boao Lecheng just six months later. At the beginning of this year, domestic patients with ALS began using this innovative drug in Lecheng. Lecheng has pioneered the use of 391 such imported medicines and devices that are urgently needed for clinical use in China, benefiting more than 60,000 patients. At present, 28 medical institutions in Lecheng, including Ruijin Hainan Hospital, which has been approved to build a regional medical center, are open and operational. By the end of 2024, 10 more hospitals will open one after another, forming a "domestic + international" and "comprehensive + specialty" medical pattern. Lecheng has good medicines, equipment and hospitals. More and more domestic patients can access the most cutting-edge drugs and medical devices by coming to Lecheng, without having to go abroad or travel across oceans.
Lecheng is also leading the country in launching several tasks for institutional integration and innovation , such as real-world data research and the "medical + pharmaceutical" two-in-one supervision system. Currently, Lecheng has established close cooperation with over 170 pharmaceutical equipment companies from 20 countries. By using real-world data-assisted clinical evaluation in Lecheng, 13 pharmaceuticals and medical devices have been approved, significantly shortening the approval process. As a result, Lecheng has become the primary channel for the rapid entry of the world's latest pharmaceuticals and medical devices into China.
Next, we will focus on the following three aspects:
First, we will provide the people with better medical services and more innovative drugs and medical devices . This involves attracting more internationally renowned medical institutions and physicians, increasing the introduction of innovative drugs and medical devices from around the world, and contributing more "Lecheng strength" to the vision of building a "Healthy China."
Second, we will further deepen institutional integration and innovation. We will advance real-world data research from the "pilot" stage to the "upgraded" stage, offering Hainan's practical experience in exploring the deepening reform of drug and medical device evaluation and approval systems in China.
Third, we will continue to develop Lecheng into an international medical tourism destination . We will fully leverage Hainan's advantages in tourism resources and visa-free entry policy for 59 countries to expand into the international market and enhance Lecheng's global appeal. Thank you!
