Advances in Rare Diseases in China (2020—2021)

In 2020 and 2021, great progress was made in the field of rare diseases in China. In the aspect of rare disease related policies, China built the National Key Laboratory of Rare Diseases and prepared for the National Quality Control Center of Rare Diseases. China has granted zero tariffs on raw materials and drugs for rare diseases since 2021, and the number of rare diseases included in health insurance in local areas has increased. In the aspect of drugs for rare disease, during the past two years, 14 drugs for rare diseases were included in the system of national health insurance; 13 were approved by China National Medical Products Administration; and more gained the qualification for prior review. In the aspect of patient registration and epidemiological study of rare diseases, China enabled the National Rare Diseases Registry System and set up the registry regime. The first epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis in China was published. The screening programof lysosomal storage syndrome and the first cohort study on achondroplasia in China were started. Besides the official policies and channels, organizations and informational platforms for patients also played an important role in the field of rare diseases.