Core Insights - The new insomnia drug Daridorexant (brand name: Kewico) has been prescribed in Shandong Province, marking its entry into the Chinese market [1][5] - Insomnia is a widespread health issue in China, with 48.5% of individuals aged 18 and above experiencing sleep disturbances, which can lead to serious health risks [1][5] - Daridorexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA) that effectively improves nighttime sleep while enhancing daytime functionality, providing a long-term treatment option for patients [3][5] Group 1 - Daridorexant targets the "overactive wakefulness" switch in the brain, contrasting with traditional insomnia medications that broadly suppress brain activity [1][3] - The drug has a half-life of approximately 8 hours, which helps reduce nighttime awakenings and avoids next-day residual effects, ensuring patients remain alert during the day [3][5] - Clinical studies support the efficacy of Daridorexant in accelerating sleep onset and reducing nighttime awakenings, with no evidence of dependency or tolerance after one year of treatment [5] Group 2 - Daridorexant is developed by Idorsia and introduced to China by Ascletis, having received approval in over ten countries and regions globally [5] - The drug is not classified as a controlled substance, making it more accessible for patients, and it is now available on major e-commerce platforms [5] - Future availability in retail pharmacies across China will enhance access for insomnia patients seeking this innovative treatment option [5]