The General Office of the National Healthcare Security Administration and the General Office of the National Health Commission jointly issued the "Notice on Improving Supporting Measures for the National Organized Centralized Volume-Based Procurement and Utilization of Drugs (Insulin Special)". Reporters learned on the 5th that the selected insulin products in this special procurement saw an average price reduction of 48%, which is expected to save a significant amount of medical insurance expenditure.

It is understood that this "national team" procurement, guided by a patient-centered approach, fully respected clinical choices, maintained the stability of clinical drug varieties, and minimized substitution risks, resulting in the inclusion of multiple insulin products. Among them, Toujeo® and Lantus®, as original basal insulins, saw their average daily treatment cost drop to below 5 yuan RMB, significantly improving the accessibility of "high-quality and reasonably priced" medications. This is a major positive development for the large population of diabetes patients in China.

In fact, the treatment rate and target attainment rate for diabetes in China remain relatively low, leading to an increase in complications. This not only severely impacts patients' lives and quality of life but also places a heavy burden on national healthcare expenditures. Diabetes requires long-term management, which imposes high demands on the effectiveness, safety, and accessibility of medications.

Professor Zhu Dalong, Chairman of the Chinese Diabetes Society, introduced: "Insulin is a crucial medication for diabetes patients to control blood glucose and plays an irreplaceable role in achieving glycemic targets. According to the 'Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in China (2020 Edition)', for patients with poor glycemic control on oral medications, initiating basal insulin therapy is recommended. As a new generation basal insulin, Toujeo® effectively helps patients achieve stable blood sugar control with a reduced risk of hypoglycemia. Its therapeutic effects are particularly notable in elderly patients and those with renal impairment. Furthermore, its innovative mechanism and formulation enhance patient experience through greater injection flexibility and comfort, thereby improving treatment adherence."

Primary healthcare systems, including community and county-level facilities, form the first line of defense in chronic disease management. The significant price reduction of original basal insulins will enable a broader population of diabetes patients at the grassroots level to access world-class advanced treatments, serving as a crucial foundation for standardized diabetes management. The insulin products procured by the "national team" are expected to reach patients starting in May. It is understood that patients can obtain these medications through hospitals, community pharmacies, and internet hospitals.