The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has announced the list of drugs that have passed the preliminary formal review for inclusion in the 2026 National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) for basic medical insurance, maternity insurance, and work-related injury insurance, as well as the commercial health insurance innovative drug list.

During the application phase for the 2026 list adjustments, the NHSA received 800 submissions for the basic medical insurance drug list, covering 664 generic drug names. A total of 601 drugs passed the formal review, with 368 being new applicants not currently on the list and 233 being existing list drugs seeking adjustments. This represents an overall pass rate of 91%.

For the commercial health insurance innovative drug list, 62 submissions were received, covering 62 generic names. Of these, 58 passed the formal review, including 57 new applicants and one existing list drug, resulting in an overall pass rate of 94%.

Understanding the Formal Review Stage

It is crucial to note that passing the formal review is only the initial step in the NRDL adjustment process. It signifies that a drug meets the basic application criteria and qualifies for the subsequent expert evaluation stage. It does not guarantee final inclusion in the official drug list.

Corrections Based on Public Feedback

Following a public comment period from June 29 to July 5, 2026, the NHSA received 103 pieces of feedback. Based on this input and subsequent verification procedures, several adjustments were made to the preliminary review results. These corrections include changes to the review status for specific traditional Chinese medicine formulas and chemical drugs, as well as adjustments to the classification of certain drugs regarding their exclusivity status and novelty designation.

Next Steps in the Process

The final results of the formal review have been communicated to the respective applicant companies. The NHSA will now proceed according to established regulations and the 2026 adjustment work plan, moving into the expert review phase. Companies are advised to monitor the official NHSA platform for updates on subsequent steps, including expert evaluations, potential price negotiations, and final agreement signings.