China Daily:

During the 14th Five-year Plan period (2021-2025), what are the specific measures to consolidate and improve the national system of essential medicines, enhance national medicine policies, and promote the high-quality development of medicine supplies? Thank you.

Wang Bin:

Thank you for your question. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we continue to refine the medicine policy system and advance the high-quality development of medicine supplies. For instance, we have realized effective coordination and integrated development in various fields, such as encouraging drug research and development and innovation, ensuring production and supply, and promoting rational drug use.

First, we have comprehensively improved the national essential medicines system. We have revised and refined the catalog management methods, optimized the selection and adjustment procedures, and dynamically updated the National Essential Medicines List. Through institutional support for these adjustments, we have emphasized the leading role of essential medicines, consistently improved the supply and quality of essential drugs, and facilitated their prioritized provision and use.

Second, we have improved the mechanism for ensuring the availability and stable pricing of medicines in short supply. To meet the public's urgent medication needs, we have utilized the national-provincial synergy mechanism, strengthened coordinated monitoring, comprehensive analysis, and tiered responses to drugs in short supply, and improved interdepartmental coordination.

Third, we have refined the mechanism for ensuring the supply of pediatric and generic medicines. Considering their clinical value and demand, we have updated the List of Encouraged Pediatric Medicines for R&D and Declaration, with fourth batches of such medicines already released. Medications on this list receive priority in evaluation and approval. Simultaneously, we have formulated the Catalogue of Encouraged Generic Medicines, aiming to incentivize enterprises to engage in research and production of these drugs. This is achieved through increased scientific research support, prioritized assessment and approval, and expedited licensing for reimbursement under the basic medical insurance scheme.

Furthermore, we have continually improved pharmaceutical services in medical institutions and intensified national and provincial monitoring of drug use. We have enhanced the mechanism for comprehensive clinical drug evaluation, and the application of technical standards. We have further strengthened analysis, monitoring, and the application of evaluation results. By taking these extensive measures, we have further updated the national system of essential medicines.

Thank you.