China to speed up launch of new cancer drugs

BEIJING — China will further shorten the time required for the registration and approval of new cancer drugs and cut prices, a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Feb 11.

Experts will be gathered to select overseas new drugs to meet urgent clinical needs, while import policies will be improved for faster launch of the drugs in China, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The country will step up efforts to ensure more early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and offer preferential value added tax policies for drugs for treatment of rare diseases.