China's Hainan speeds up approval of imported medicine, medical devices

HAIKOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's southern island province of Hainan has streamlined the approval of imported medicine and medical equipment in its medical pilot zone, shortening the approval process to no more than three days.

So far, authorities have approved 51 types of imported medicine and medical equipment in urgent clinical need to be used at Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Bo'ao, a town near the island's east coast, benefiting 253 patients, according to a press conference held Sunday.

Hainan provincial health commission has established a special division responsible for the examination and approval of all medicines used in Lecheng pilot zone to raise the approval efficiency, said the press release.

Customs authority has made efforts to simplify customs clearance, allowing approved medicine and medical equipment to enter bonded warehouses before customs inspection and verification, it said.

In 2019, medical institutions in Lecheng pilot zone made a business revenue of about 640 million yuan (around 92.5 million U.S. dollars), up 75 percent year on year.

It has attracted advanced pharmaceutical enterprises such as Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Sanofi to settle in the pilot zone, according to the provincial drug watchdog.

Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone was set up in 2013, which is expected to be internationally advanced in medical technology, equipment and medicine by 2025.