Domestic COVID drugs added to reimbursement list

The National Healthcare Security Administration said on Wednesday that all domestic COVID-19 medicines have been added to the national medical reimbursement list.

Two newly approved homegrown pills — Xiannuoxin made by Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, and VV116 developed by Shanghai Vinnerna Biosciences — are temporarily covered up until March 31.

Azvudine, the first domestic COVID-19 oral medication developed by Henan Genuine Biotech, was officially included in the last version of the national reimbursement list that was released on Jan 18.

Three traditional Chinese medicine drugs and three herbal formulas have also been added to the list, the administration said.