03:08Representatives of China’s National Health Commission (NHC) held a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, replying Paxlovid failed to be included in China’s national insurance.
NHC invited Huang Xinyu, an Official with the National Healthcare Security Administration to the presser.
"Three COVID-19 therapeutic drugs were included in the negotiations, including the Paxlovid, Azvudine tablets, and Qingfeipaidu granules. Among them, Azvudine tablets and Qingfeipaidu granules were successfully negotiated, and Paxlovid failed because the enterprise’s price is too high," he explained why Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment drug was not on the national reimbursement list.
While Paxlovid failed to make it on the reimbursement list, the drug will still be covered by State medical insurance until March 31.
"During this period, the patient’s medication will not be affected," Huang said.
"The reimbursement list includes over 600 types of medicine for cold and fever, meaning patients would still have a wide variety of other drugs to choose from," he added.
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medicine developed by US firm Pfizer, which has been sought in China after the infection wave across the country. Healthcare Security Administration declined to include Paxlovid on the reimbursement list based on its high price on Sunday.
China: Health Commission says insurance will only cover Pfizer's Paxlovid until 31 March
Representatives of China’s National Health Commission (NHC) held a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, replying Paxlovid failed to be included in China’s national insurance.
NHC invited Huang Xinyu, an Official with the National Healthcare Security Administration to the presser.
"Three COVID-19 therapeutic drugs were included in the negotiations, including the Paxlovid, Azvudine tablets, and Qingfeipaidu granules. Among them, Azvudine tablets and Qingfeipaidu granules were successfully negotiated, and Paxlovid failed because the enterprise’s price is too high," he explained why Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment drug was not on the national reimbursement list.
While Paxlovid failed to make it on the reimbursement list, the drug will still be covered by State medical insurance until March 31.
"During this period, the patient’s medication will not be affected," Huang said.
"The reimbursement list includes over 600 types of medicine for cold and fever, meaning patients would still have a wide variety of other drugs to choose from," he added.
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medicine developed by US firm Pfizer, which has been sought in China after the infection wave across the country. Healthcare Security Administration declined to include Paxlovid on the reimbursement list based on its high price on Sunday.
Representatives of China’s National Health Commission (NHC) held a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, replying Paxlovid failed to be included in China’s national insurance.
NHC invited Huang Xinyu, an Official with the National Healthcare Security Administration to the presser.
"Three COVID-19 therapeutic drugs were included in the negotiations, including the Paxlovid, Azvudine tablets, and Qingfeipaidu granules. Among them, Azvudine tablets and Qingfeipaidu granules were successfully negotiated, and Paxlovid failed because the enterprise’s price is too high," he explained why Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment drug was not on the national reimbursement list.
While Paxlovid failed to make it on the reimbursement list, the drug will still be covered by State medical insurance until March 31.
"During this period, the patient’s medication will not be affected," Huang said.
"The reimbursement list includes over 600 types of medicine for cold and fever, meaning patients would still have a wide variety of other drugs to choose from," he added.
Paxlovid is an oral antiviral medicine developed by US firm Pfizer, which has been sought in China after the infection wave across the country. Healthcare Security Administration declined to include Paxlovid on the reimbursement list based on its high price on Sunday.