(Two Sessions) Chairman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine: Clearly Define the Classification of Ethnic Medicines in the Medical Insurance Catalogue

Release time:

2014-03-18 15:38

　　According to a report by Dahui Asda Communication Agency on March 6, Lei Jufang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine (002287.SZ), submitted a proposal at the Two Sessions calling for clearer classification of ethnic medicines in the national medical insurance system. The proposal suggests that, in the next edition of the National Medical Insurance Catalogue, the number of ethnic medicine varieties should be expanded proportionally to the historical growth rate of support for traditional Chinese medicines, while also broadening the existing variety dosage forms.

　　Lei Jufang stated that since the country launched the new healthcare reform in 2009, the national medical insurance system reform—aimed at achieving universal health coverage—has played a crucial role in driving the development of the industry. However, there are still challenges in fully leveraging the advantages of traditional ethnic medicines. For example, the number of ethnic medicine varieties included in the National Medical Insurance Catalog has been declining; the catalog fails to classify ethnic medicines according to disease types, which affects their clinical application; access to multiple dosage forms of the same ethnic medicine with identical formulations remains insufficient; and during the selection process for the ethnic medicine catalog, sufficient involvement of ethnic medicine experts in the evaluation system has not been ensured.

　　Data show that compared to the 2000 edition of the National Medical Insurance Catalog, the number of Western medicines and traditional Chinese patent medicines included in the 2009 edition increased by 12.91% and 31.02%, respectively. However, the number of ethnic medicines decreased by 2.15%, showing negative growth and failing to fully reflect the state’s spirit of supporting ethnic medicines.

　　In response, Lei Jufang suggests that the new edition of the National Medical Insurance Catalogue should significantly increase the number of ethnic medicine varieties, proportionally to the historical growth rate of support for traditional Chinese medicine. At the same time, existing varieties and dosage forms should be expanded. The catalog of ethnic medicines should be further refined to enable specialized drug use based on different medical disciplines. A pool of expert reviewers for ethnic medicines should also be established, and the ethnic medicine section of the new National Medical Insurance Catalogue should be jointly reviewed by experts in ethnic medicine as well as specialists from both traditional Chinese and Western medicine fields.

　　Lei Jufang stated that ethnic medicine boasts extensive experience and excellent efficacy and safety in the prevention and treatment of serious illnesses and chronic diseases. It serves as a valuable complement to both modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and also offers significant economic benefits. As such, it can greatly help reduce the proportion of drug costs and meet the demands of healthcare system reform.

　　Source: Dahui News Agency

　　Website: http://stock.caijing.com.cn/2014-03-06/113983703.html

Lei Jufang: Suggests Increasing the Proportion of Ethnic Medicines in the Medical Insurance Catalog.

Lei Jufang: R&D Focus on the Secondary Development of Tibetan Medicine