Novartis Oncology's Two Innovative Drugs Included in China's National Reimbursement Drug List to Benefit Patients with Cancer and Rare Diseases

Beijing, November 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 28, 2019, the National Healthcare Security Administration and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued a notice on including the drugs negotiated in 2019 into Category B of the National Basic Medical Insurance, Work-Related Injury Insurance, and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalog. These drugs primarily consist of life-saving medications and commonly used drugs for chronic diseases, focusing on the treatment of cancer, rare diseases, hepatitis B, and diabetes.

In this round of negotiations, Novartis Oncology's innovative therapeutic drug Jakavi^®(Ruxolitinib) and Exjade^®(Deferasirox) has been successfully included in the National Reimbursement Drug List. Ruxolitinib isThe World's FirstAlsoThe Only One in China CurrentlyApproved as a targeted therapy addressing the pathogenic mechanisms of myelofibrosis, it delivers four major benefits: spleen volume reduction, symptom improvement, prolonged survival, and delayed fibrosis progression, earning recognition as a new milestone in the treatment of myelofibrosis.^[1]; and asThe Only One in ChinaDeferasirox, an oral medication approved as first-line therapy for iron overload in both pediatric and adult patients, offers improved adherence. It effectively treats iron overload caused by transfusion-dependent rare hematologic disorders such as aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and thalassemia, helping to delay disease progression and prolong survival in patients with iron overload.^[2]。

With the inclusion of two innovative drugs, ruxolitinib and deferasirox, in the National Reimbursement Drug List, all Novartis Oncology products marketed in China are now covered by national medical insurance. This marks a significant improvement in the accessibility of Novartis Oncology’s portfolio in the Chinese market, benefiting more patients in China and delivering long-term benefits by effectively extending survival and enhancing quality of life.

As a company with robust R&D capabilities and a portfolio of medicines that transform therapeutic landscapes and address unmet clinical needs, Novartis remains committed to its patient-centric philosophy, aiming to alleviate patient suffering and improve quality of life. Meanwhile, it actively supports and responds to national initiatives to reduce the disease burden on patients, ensuring that Chinese patients have affordable access to high-quality innovative medicines launched simultaneously in China and globally.

Declaration：This material is intended to provide relevant knowledge about the disease area and enhance disease awareness, and is not for advertising purposes. The information contained herein is for reference only; please follow the advice or guidance of physicians or other qualified healthcare professionals.。

^[1] Verstovsek S, et al. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:799-807;Harrison CN, et al. N Engl J Med. 2012; 366:787-798; Kvasnicka HM,et al.Blood 2016;128:1949; Verstovsek et al. Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2017) 10:156

^[2]Zanninelli G, et al. Br J Haematol. 2009;147:744–751; Deferasirox Dispersible Tablets Package Insert, October 29, 2018 edition; Lyons RMet al. Leuk Res 2017;56:88–95