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48 Chinese patent medicines added to new essential drug list, core products of multiple listed pharma firms set to benefit directly
The National Essential Drug List 2026 Edition officially took effect today, adding 48 varieties of Chinese patent medicines and bringing the total to 794. This is the first adjustment to the essential drug list since 2018. The expansion of Chinese patent medicines closely targets needs in common primary care diseases, chronic conditions of aging, pediatric care, and specialized therapeutic areas, while fully retaining mainstream blood-activating and stasis-removing injectables such as Danshen Injection and Xuesaitong, exceeding market expectations. Among the newly added varieties, exclusive products account for a large share, including over 20 exclusive varieties such as Yiling Pharmaceutical's Jieyu Chufan Capsules, Hansen Pharmaceutical's Simo Decoction Oral Liquid, Mayinglong's Babao Eye Ointment, and Panlong Pharmaceutical's Panlongqi Tablets. Multiple listed companies are optimistic about sales prospects after entering the essential drug list. A source at Mayinglong said Babao Eye Ointment generated over 28 million yuan in revenue in 2025, and after inclusion, primary healthcare institutions will be required to stock it. Panlong Pharmaceutical's core product Panlongqi Tablets will directly benefit from mandatory stocking requirements at secondary hospitals and above. Industry experts predict that newly included varieties will go through a process of tendering, hospital admission, and volume ramp-up, with incremental growth of at least 20 percent and possibly up to 50 percent, but will not have a significant impact on performance in the short term.