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China's National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) reviewed 818 drug submissions for its National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and Commercial Insurance Innovative Drug List. Of 674 generic names reviewed, most passed, with record submissions reflecting a booming industryNotably, GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss, like those from Innovent and Pfizer, cleared the first hurdle but face price cuts to match hospital benchmarksPre-application drugs must meet the regulatory documentation deadline of July 3 to stay in the game. Public scrutiny adds another layer to ensure transparency, with the NHSA inviting public comments on candidate drugs until July 5
Biotech’s long-term pricing power hinges on “the capability of creating differentiated new therapies with more consistent and frequent innovation,” Dr. Yale Jen, Senior Managing Director and Healthcare Equity Analyst, told NAVLIN DailyIn China, the expert advised the global industry to consider “the level of local competition, even with less effective therapies...given the potential preference set by the government for local developers”“For an innovative therapy, China will still be a good farmhouse for ex-China players to develop a potentially better product in shorter timeframes, leveraging R&D for established molecular targets, a strong suite for Chinese biotech, and sometimes government subsidies,” said Dr. Jen
Last week, NAVLIN Daily brought you key market access developments from across the globe. Switzerland explored a new fund to support access to innovative medicines amid MFN concerns, Japan warned of growing drug lag risks from MFN, and China launched its 12th VBP round covering 65 drug varieties. The U.S. launched a Section 301 investigation into Germany’s pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies, arguing they undervalue innovative medicines and shift a disproportionate share of global research and development (R&D) costs onto American patients Spain and Italy advanced pharmaceutical policy reforms, with Madrid opening a consultation on its Decree to regulate medicine prices, while Rome weighed updates to reimbursement rules to help curb rising pharmaceutical expenditure
Spain's Health Commission passed a controversial legal amendment to prohibit the disclosure of the prices public health authorities pay for medicinesDespite strong criticism from civil society organizations and an opposition vote from Podemos MP Javier Sánchez, lawmakers largely supported the measure, characterizing it as an essential move to protect Spanish patients from potential negative consequences of U.S. Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy Rafael Cofiño, a member of parliament for the Sumar party, argued in favor of the reform, explaining, "A lack of confidentiality would cause pharmaceutical companies to delay product launches, and people in Spain would have to wait longer to access innovation"
Spanish lawmakers are due to vote today on a legislative amendment that would make confidential by law the prices paid by public health authorities for medicinesThe proposal, backed by the governing Socialist Party (PSOE) and coalition partner SUMAR, has also received support from the opposition People’s Party (PP), creating an unusual alliance around a reform that the Civio Citizen Foundation (Civio) says has been introduced with minimal public debateThe proposal is not new. Similar provisions first appeared in a draft medicines law promoted by the Ministry of Health in 2025 and resurfaced earlier this year in amendments to disability legislation. According to Civio, the latest version reproduces almost word-for-word the language used in previous attempts; however, this time the amendment appears in a bill primarily focused on neonatal screening programs
China’s National Joint Procurement Office unveiled 65 selected drug varieties for the 12th volume-based procurement (VBP) batchCompanies must submit drug details by June 26. Enrollment ends July 13A refined anchor point rule limits extreme pricing—highest bids cannot exceed 1.8 times the anchor, and ultra-low bids lose allocations. Companies must meet stringent quality checks
Switzerland is considering the creation of a new fund financed by its cantons to support higher prices for innovative medicines, as mounting pressure from the U.S. Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) policy threatens the country's access to new pharmaceutical treatmentsAccording to Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, federal and cantonal authorities are discussing a mechanism that would allow pharmaceutical companies to receive additional compensation for new drugs without increasing mandatory health insurance premiumsThe proposal emerged from a Life Sciences Location roundtable that brings together representatives from the federal government, cantons, and the pharmaceutical industry. Under the plan, the existing system for setting medicine prices would remain unchanged, while a separate fund financed by all Swiss cantons would provide supplementary payments for selected innovative therapies
Last week, NAVLIN Daily brought you key market access developments from across the globe. Germany moved to replace proposed dynamic drug discounts with fixed discounts after industry opposition, the European Parliament approved legislation implementing the EU-U.S. trade framework, and U.S. Senate Democrats launched a consultation on new proposals to lower drug prices and build on reforms under the IRA China's drug reimbursement list application window has closed after receiving 818 submissions, while four newly approved innovative medicines qualified for potential inclusion in this year's updated NRDL Reports emerged of U.S.-Germany talks on a potential deal linking tariff relief to more flexible pricing for innovative medicines, while Denmark sought at least $12.5 million in compensation from Amgen over its decision to halt supplies of the cholesterol drug Repatha
AstraZeneca is positioning India as a potential future market for its investigational oral GLP-1 treatment for obesity and diabetes, with the company planning to bring the drug to the country once global Phase III trials are completed and regulatory approvals are secured "We hope to bring it to India as soon as we have the right data and regulatory approvals," said Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Managing Director of AstraZeneca Pharma IndiaAkkinepally said India could also play a role in the late-stage development program, noting the country's history of participation in AstraZeneca's cardiovascular and renal clinical trials
Impartial members of Germany’s Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) have emphasized that the draft plan to stabilize the contribution rates in the statutory health insurance (GKV) exhibits a “serious injustice” that is likely to jeopardize its overall acceptanceIn a letter, the group acknowledged that reforms are needed; however, G-BA said the government is shifting EUR 12.5 billion in costs that should be tax-funded onto statutory health insurance, while placing additional burdens on insured people and healthcare providersMeanwhile, the group backed higher manufacturer rebates on medicines and vaccines to curb spending. However, the group warned against automatic adjustments tied to expenditure growth, proposing instead a fixed 13% rebate subject to review every three years, and criticized plans to abolish the combination discount for high-cost therapies
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