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THE INSTITUTE@PRECISION ASIA-PACIFIC SERIES​

CHINA MARKET ACCESS AFTER NRDL MATURITY​

The negotiation is over. Now the real work begins. For years, NRDL inclusion was viewed as the ultimate market access milestone in China. Today, reimbursement is only part of the story. Hospital access, affordability and evidence generation often determine what happens next.
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In this whitepaper, you’ll learn:

         • Why national reimbursement doesn’t guarantee national access

         • What happens between listing and utilization

         • Where affordability challenges persist after reimbursement

         • How real-world evidence supports value beyond inclusion



Authors:
Ruoding (Ruby) Wang, Chloe Wang, Cherry Moldovan, Alex Grosvenor​

NRDL Isn’t the Finish Line. It’s the Starting Line.​

National reimbursement creates opportunity, but it doesn’t guarantee adoption. Manufacturers must increasingly focus on the challenges that emerge after listing and the factors that shape real-world uptake.
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Access Doesn’t Happen Automatically​

NRDL inclusion is national. Access is not. Hospital listing decisions, provincial
implementation and channel availability can all influence how quickly reimbursement
translates into patient access and utilization.
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Affordability Shapes Adoption​

A successful NRDL negotiation can improve access, but reimbursement doesn’t eliminate every barrier. Out-of-pocket costs and regional differences may continue to influence treatment decisions after listing.
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Evidence Doesn’t Stop at Listing​

As NRDL matures, value discussions increasingly extend beyond inclusion itself.
Real-world evidence can support renewal discussions, strengthen hospital adoption
and reinforce long-term value.

FAQs

Why is NRDL inclusion no longer considered the final market access milestone?​

For many years, reimbursement was viewed as the primary objective. Today, manufacturers must also consider what happens after listing, including hospital adoption, patient affordability and the evidence needed to support long-term value.

Why can utilization remain limited after reimbursement?​

Because reimbursement is only one step in a multi-layered access process. National listing may open the door, but hospital access, local implementation and affordability often determine how quickly patients gain access to treatment.

Why is real-world evidence becoming more important?​

As China’s reimbursement environment evolves, stakeholders are looking beyond clinical trial data alone. Real-world evidence can help demonstrate value in practice and support decisions related to adoption, renewal and ongoing access.

Explore the challenges and opportunities shaping market access after NRDL inclusion.​