In a significant development for healthcare accessibility, Beijing Tongren Hospital has issued its first prescription for Sycume, a breakthrough thyroid eye disease medication newly incorporated into China’s National Drug Reimbursement List. This milestone follows the January 1st implementation of the updated list, which introduces 114 new pharmaceutical coverages including 50 pioneering innovative medicines, expanding total covered medications to 3,253 formulations nationwide.
Sycume, developed by Shanghai-based Innovent Biologics, represents a therapeutic advancement for patients experiencing moderate to severe thyroid eye disease. The injectable treatment specifically addresses distressing symptoms including proptosis (eye bulging), orbital inflammation, and diplopia (double vision). Having received Chinese market approval in March, the drug’s inclusion in the reimbursement program substantially enhances treatment accessibility.
Professor Li Dongmei of Beijing Tongren Hospital emphasized the transformative financial impact of this policy change. The per-dose price has dramatically decreased from approximately 15,000 yuan ($2,148) to under 6,000 yuan following reimbursement list inclusion. With insurance coverage, patients now experience approximately 10,000 yuan in savings per treatment cycle compared to previous out-of-pocket expenses.
This strategic expansion of China’s drug reimbursement framework, administered by the National Healthcare Security Administration, not only alleviates economic burdens but also ensures broader patient access to effective and safe therapeutic interventions. The policy shift demonstrates China’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare affordability while supporting innovative medical treatments for complex conditions.