Recently, a female patient suffering with articular cartilage damage in her left knee has been successfully cured with a globally innovative cartilage regeneration technology that is not generally domestically available in Chinese market – called ChondroFiller® Liquid, it is a collagen protein implant for cartilage regeneration. The feat was performed in the Lecheng Branch of the Hainan Provincial People’s Hospital inside the Bo'ao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone (hereinafter referred to as the Lecheng Pilot Zone).

This is yet another amazing example of Lecheng Pilot Zone’s use of internationally innovative medical equipment that is not otherwise domestically available to restore the health of Chinese patients. So far, the Lecheng Pilot Zone has already introduced more than 130 types of internationally innovative medicines and medical equipment, giving thousands of domestic patients hope of recovery. 

Now that internationally innovative medical equipment is available in Lecheng Pilot Zone to treat and cure patients, how are patients able to apply for the use of the licensed medicine and medical equipment?

After seeking medical help, patients can take medicines home

Applications for licensed medicine require standardized and detailed medical assessments. Generally speaking, when visiting a medical institution in the Lecheng Pilot Zone, a patient would submit an application for licensed medicine or the use of licensed medical equipment. Relevant experts would then use the patient’s medical record and diagnostic data to assess whether or not the patient meets requirements. If the patient passes the assessment, he or she can then apply to the Lecheng Pilot Zone's Administrative Bureau for the use of medicine and medical equipment.

Wu Weixue, Deputy Dean of the Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center, stated that the Hainan Women and Children’s Medical Center is collaborating with the Lecheng Pilot Zone to launch joint projects such as a biological cell technology project and the introduction of a new urological drug Deflux®. After the patient submits an application in the hospital, they would be able to come and use it in the Lecheng Pilot Zone.

The relevant official in charge of the Lecheng Pilot Zone Administrative Bureau said that when it comes to a patient applying for use of a novel medicine or piece of medical equipment, he or she only needs to submit an application for using the medicine or medical equipment. Other work such as the approval, import, and transportation of novel medicines or medical equipment will all be handled by relevant functional departments, medical institutions and enterprises. He also said, “At present, the Lecheng Pilot Zone has already achieved a major breakthrough; [it has gone] from patients waiting for medicine to medicine waiting for patients. Patients can make an appointment to see a doctor and they will be able to use the medicine when they come to the hospital. Oral clinical medications can also be taken home for use after assessment, which can save a lot of time and money.”

(Photo provided by Hinews.cn)

Seeking medical treatment in Lecheng will be more convenient

An international innovative medicine and medical equipment exhibition was held on the 13th of April this year in the Lecheng Pilot Zone. At the expo more than 80 international medical equipment manufacturers displayed 810 types of innovative novel medications and medical equipment. This is currently the only expo in China that can display medical equipment that is otherwise not domestically available. This expo is providing a new channel for patients to have a more comprehensive understanding of innovative international medications and medical equipment.

“This time we brought 63 of the company’s star products, and almost every one of our production lines had a product representing it,” said the staff of Boston Scientific Pavilion at the exhibition, amongst the 63 products that they displayed more than half are not otherwise domestically available including 6 blockbuster products that won the ‘Prix Galien Award’ (also known as the Nobel Prize in Medicine).

In addition to the internationally cutting-edge medications and medical equipment, some novel medicines that had been independently researched and developed domestically were also on display at the expo, including a cerebral stroke treatment drug which was independently researched and developed by Simcere Pharmaceutical Group – ‘Xianbixin’. In the 13th Five Year Plan [2016-2020] the drug was recognized as an “Iconic Achievement of Chinese Medicine and Technology”.

“Lecheng Pilot Zone hopes that the expo can create a transformation platform for trade and scientific research. Patients and their families can find novel medicines here, and they can also apply for medication use here," said the official in charge of the Lecheng Pilot Zone Administrative Bureau.

In the future, the Lecheng Pilot Zone Administrative Bureau also plans to adopt a simultaneous online display for innovative international medications and medical equipment so that patients from all over the country can have direct contact with these products and have an easier time finding solutions to medical problems.

The application of internet technology will also provide more convenience for patients seeking better medical treatment in the Lecheng Pilot Zone. As early as July 2020, the Lecheng Pilot Zone released the “Intelligent Lecheng” – a three-piece set including the “Lecheng Health” mini program where patients can access services such as making appointments, registering for requests, enrolment to use novel medications, and online consulting. 

Statistics have shown that, in 2020, usage of licensed medical equipment in the Lecheng Pilot Zone has already reached CNY 170 million, an increase of 6 times over the previous year. This also fully demonstrates that more and more patients are coming to Lecheng in search of hope.