On December 13, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHS) announced the 2023 edition of the national medical insurance drug list. RINVOQ® (Upadacitinib Extended-Release Tablets) successfully added two new indications covered by medical insurance—ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD)—thanks to its high clinical value. It has become the first oral small-molecule targeted drug in the new directory to cover both indications simultaneously. The updated medical insurance drug list will officially take effect in January next year, expanding treatment options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), improving access to innovative drugs, and reducing the financial burden on patients.
Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease belong to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, intestinal damage, and bleeding are typical symptoms of IBD.IBD is a chronic inflammatory damage process that cannot be completely cured, and currently, many patients are 1.8—49Young adults in their prime, who are at the ascending stage of their studies and careers, face significant impacts on their work, social interactions, and mental health due to long-term illness.
Upadacitinib was approved in China for the indications of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in February and June this year, respectively. As a highly selective JAK inhibitor, upadacitinib can partially block and reversibly modulate the JAK-STAT intracellular signaling pathway downstream of cytokines, representing a new therapeutic approach for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
IBD patients experience recurring symptoms, and there is a clinical need for fast-acting, effective, and convenient treatment drugs. RINVOQ (upadacitinib extended-release tablets), a highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, is currently the only orally administered highly selective JAK inhibitor in China approved for both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Multiple global multicenter clinical studies have shown that, for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, upadacitinib takes effect in 1 day and 3 days respectively, rapidly improving clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. It powerfully and sustainably maintains clinical remission, effectively promotes intestinal mucosal healing, and continuously controls disease progression. Additionally, upadacitinib has demonstrated satisfactory clinical data in achieving steroid-free remission, meeting the needs of more IBD patients who wish to reduce or discontinue steroids.
Unlike previous biologics that often require hospitalization and injections, upadacitinib, as a small-molecule targeted drug, only needs to be taken orally once a day. Patients can receive treatment whether at home or while traveling, without frequent visits to the hospital, and without disrupting their normal work or school routines. This effectively improves patients' quality of life and long-term prognosis, with the hope of helping patients overcome the torment of repeated relapses more quickly, smoothly, and safely, and restore normal life.
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