Today, the "National Basic Medical Insurance, Work-related Injury Insurance and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue (2023)" was officially announced, and Boehringer Ingelheim's innovative targeted drug for pulmonary fibrosis Vega (nintedanib ethanesulfonate softgel) is indicated for the indication of "chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease with progressive phenotype" (commonly known as PF-ILD, i.e., progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease;or PPF, i.e., progressive pulmonary fibrosis) is included. Following the inclusion of IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and SSC-ILD (systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease) indications into the National Medical Insurance Catalog, all three indications currently approved by Vegat have been included in the National Medical Insurance Catalog, which will benefit a wider range of Chinese pulmonary fibrosis patients.
Vegat is the world's first and only original drug approved for PPF, significantly delaying the annual decline rate of forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients by 57%, with good safety and tolerability, and its mechanism of action is clear, and it has been recognized by the FDA as a breakthrough**. Patients were significantly reduced in the risk of first exacerbation or death by 33% and the risk of disease progression or death by 34%.
Professor Dai Huaping, Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said that progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is not a disease, but a state in which the fibrosis of many fibrotic interstitial lung diseases progresses to a certain severity, which not only seriously affects the quality of life of patients, but also leads to respiratory failure and death, causing serious diseases and socio-economic burdens. Previously, there was a lack of coverage for pulmonary fibrosis. Nintedanib is the world's first drug recommended by PPF clinical practice guidelines, and the inclusion of PPF indications in the National Medical Insurance List is an encouraging news for both our doctors and patients, which means that the accessibility of innovative targeted drugs will be further improved, helping more patients to access**, delay disease progression, and improve quality of life.
Ms. Wang Yiou, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Beijing Pain Challenge Charity Association (ICF), said: "We are pleased that PPF patients have more choices, and the drug has been included in the national medical insurance list, which means that PPF patients are more likely to receive long-term standardized anti-fibrosis**, enhancing their confidence in long-term disease management. As the 'closest person to the patient', we also work with Boehringer Ingelheim to actively carry out the diagnosis and treatment and protection of chronic fibrotic interstitial lung disease and the doctor-patient exchange meeting, aiming to provide patients with better medication protection and disease management advice. It is believed that in the future, through continuous model innovation and ecosystem co-construction, multi-party cooperation and complementary advantages can be realized from new drug access, drug payment to patient care, and jointly help every patient realize the beautiful vision of a healthy life. ”