Recently, the Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission issued the Catalogue of Commonly Used and Emergency Drugs for Medical Institutions Such as Outpatient Departments and Clinics Established by Individuals in Jiangsu Province (2021 Revision) (hereinafter referred to as the Catalogue), expanding the available medications for primary-level medical institutions to over 500 types.

The Catalogue applies to medical institutions such as outpatient departments, clinics, and health stations (rooms, posts) established by individuals.

It is reported that this is a revision of the 2003 version, with detailed additions, deletions, and refinements of drugs. It will officially take effect on April 1, 2022.

01 Change 1: Addition of 82 Available Drugs

Compared with the 2003 revision, the most significant change is the increase in the number of drugs from 434 to 516.

It is noted that this is the second consecutive revision to increase the number of drugs, indicating that the scope of medications available to primary-level medical institutions is continuously expanding—many drugs that were previously unavailable can now be used.

However, it is important to note that primary-level medical institutions must not provide drugs beyond the scope and categories listed in the Catalogue; doing so will be considered operating beyond the permitted scope and subject to penalties.

02 Change 2: Reorganization into 22 Categories

In addition to the overall increase in quantity, the drugs in the Catalogue have been reorganized.

Four new drugs for thyroid hormones and antithyroid agents, as well as four for lipid regulation and anti-atherosclerosis, have been added. The total number of categories has increased from 21 to 22.

At the same time, the classification has become more detailed and specific, with several drugs consolidated. For example:

In the 2003 revision, there were six types of penicillins, whereas in the new version, there are only three. Among them, penicillin, penicillin V potassium, ampicillin sodium, and sulbactam sodium have been merged under the category of penicillin.

In addition, anesthetics and psychotropic drugs have been added, but these are limited to institutions that perform medical aesthetic surgeries.

03 Change 3: Addition of 11 Diabetes Drugs

With the increasing number of diabetes patients, the demand for diabetes medications has also grown.

In the new version, phenformin hydrochloride tablets have been removed, and 11 diabetes drugs have been added:

1. Glimepiride

2. Gliquidone

3. Sitagliptin

4. Linagliptin

5. Repaglinide

6. Pioglitazone

7. Acarbose

8. Voglibose

9. Epalrestat

10. Miglitol

11. Liraglutide

04 Change 4: Addition of 13 Antihypertensive Drugs

Similar to diabetes, the number of hypertension patients has also increased. In the new version, the regular antihypertensive tablet has been removed, and 13 antihypertensive drugs have been added:

1. Compound dihydralazine sulfate

2. Enalapril

3. Lisinopril

4. Valsartan

5. Valsartan and amlodipine

6. Urapidil

7. Phentolamine

8. Irbesartan

9. Olmesartan medoxomil

10. Losartan potassium

11. Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide

12. Candesartan cilexetil

13. Fosinopril

05 Change 5: First Addition of Gout Drug: Colchicine

In the new version, colchicine and benzbromarone have been added to the list of available gout drugs for the first time.

As is well known, colchicine tablets are commonly used to treat acute gouty arthritis attacks and to prevent recurrent acute episodes of gouty arthritis.

However, it is important to note that this drug is highly toxic, and there is no specific antidote in case of overdose. With this drug now available in more primary-level medical institutions, physicians should exercise caution when prescribing to avoid overdose.