17 cancer drugs added to insurance program list

Patients will be reimbursed after retail prices fall by about 57%

China has included 17 more cancer drugs in its national basic medical insurance program, the latest progress in government efforts to make drugs more affordable for cancer patients.

The patented drugs are among 44 cancer drugs selected by the National Healthcare Security Administration in June for negotiations on lowering their prices and inclusion in the list of drugs eligible for reimbursement through the medical insurance program, the administration said on Wednesday.