China relaxes import regs to improve access to affordable drugs

In a move that will potentially benefit millions of Chinese citizens, the government of the People's Republic of China announced incremental changes to its erstwhile import and regulatory policy that will allow the easier influx of affordable medicines from overseas.

“Article 124 of the newly revised drug administration law stipulates that the import of a small number of drugs that have been legally listed overseas without approval can be exempted from punishment in minor cases,” the state-run news outlet The Paper, reported. The decision was approved by the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Monday.

China's structural reform to its local healthcare system furthers its resolve to progressively drive down drug prices, speed up the approval of new medicines so that they can reach the market quickly, paving the way for greater imports of high-quality medicines.