Core Viewpoint - The claim that only 2% of approved drugs are covered by medical insurance is misleading, as it conflates different statistical measures and misrepresents the actual coverage of the medical insurance drug list [1][2]. Summary by Sections Statistical Discrepancies - The National Medical Insurance Bureau clarified that the comparison between the number of approved drugs (over 150,000) and the number of drugs in the medical insurance directory (3,159) is erroneous due to differing statistical bases [1][3]. - The medical insurance directory counts drugs by their active ingredients (generic names), while the drug approval statistics count each unique product by its approval number, leading to a significant difference in numbers [2][3]. Drug Approval and Coverage - As of the end of 2024, there are over 150,000 drug approval numbers in China, with more than 110,000 having sales records. The medical insurance directory's 3,159 drugs correspond to over 70,000 approval numbers, representing approximately 63% of the market [3][6]. - The medical insurance drug list has been adjusted over the past seven years, adding 835 drugs and removing 438, ensuring that it covers the majority of clinically necessary medications, especially for major diseases like cancer [4][5]. Policy and Drug Selection - The selection of drugs for the medical insurance directory is based on the principle of meeting basic medical needs while considering clinical necessity and economic factors. Certain categories, such as health supplements and preventive vaccines, are excluded from coverage [5][6]. - The quality and structure of drugs in the medical insurance directory have improved over time, with a focus on optimizing the coverage rather than merely increasing the percentage of drugs listed [6].