BEIJING -- China is working to reduce the prices of cancer drugs and the financial burden on patients, according to health officials Saturday. Prices of cancer drugs will be reduced through centralized negotiations and procurement, Zeng Yixin, vice director of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference. According to Chen Jinfu, head of the medical insurance department of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, last year the government reached agreements with pharmaceutical enterprises on the prices of 36 cancer medicines on the medical insurance list. Prices of these drugs have been marked down by 44 percent on average, Chen said. Stressing a patient-centered approach in negotiations, the official also noted that market competition is also needed. The government will work to include more antineoplastic drugs into the country's catalogue of medical insurance reimbursement, which already incorporates most of the relevant drugs. Moreover, efforts have been made in accelerating the review and approval procedures for new medicines, reducing circulation costs and improving diagnosis to reduce the burden on patients and their families, Zeng said. The average approval time for imported drugs has been significantly shortened, and the customs clearance procedures streamlined, said Li Jinju, an official with China Food and Drug Administration. The Ministry of Finance announced Monday that China will exempt 28 drugs from import tariffs, including all cancer drugs from May 1, as part of wider opening of the market. Admitting that the tariff cut may challenge China's domestic pharmaceutical industry, Liu Dengfeng of the health commission expressed confidence in tackling it. China's medical research and development has progressed in recent years with the talent pool getting stronger and innovation booming, he said. make your own bracelet cheapdesign your own wristbanduv braceletsilicone fidget spinnerjordan wristband rubber
BEIJING -- China will allot revenue from the environmental protection tax to local governments to motivate participation in the fight against pollution.China's Environment Tax Law will be effective on Jan. 1, 2018, according to a decree by the State Council signed by Premier Li Keqiang.China has collected a "pollutant discharge fee" since 1979. However, some local governments exploit loopholes and exempt enterprises which are otherwise big contributors to fiscal revenue. For years, regulators have suggested replacing the fee system with a law.Under the new law, which targets enterprises and public institutions that discharge listed pollutants directly into the environment, companies will pay taxes for producing noise, air and water pollutants as well as solid waste.Tackling pollution has been listed as one of "the three tough battles" that China aims to win in the next three years, according to the Central Economic Work Conference that concluded last week.Official data showed from January to November, China investigated over 35,600 violations of environmental protection laws and regulations, up more than 102 percent year on year.
