China lists 200 western drugs among essential

The Chinese government has released a list of medications it will subsidize as part of a $124 billion revamping of its healthcare system. Starting September 25, the government will regulate the cost and distribution of all drugs on the list, which combined account for roughly 25 percent of national drug spending and treat up to 80 percent of the country's most common diseases. The meds include treatments for pain, anxiety and high blood pressure, among others. Of the 307 medications chosen, 200 were western drugs, PharmaTimes reports. Article