China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease public strain, support drug innovation

China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease public strain, support drug innovation

China has for the first time included commercial health insurance in its 2026 government work report, signalling efforts to strengthen the country’s social safety net and support the growth of innovative drugs and medical devices. On Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the government would “work faster to develop commercial health insurance” and promote the “high-quality development of innovative drugs and medical devices” to better meet people’s diverse needs. Behind the unusual emphasis...

By Yeon Woo Lee