China Expands Medical Insurance Coverage for Rare Diseases, Covers 207 Conditions and 100 Drugs

China has expanded its rare disease catalog to 207 conditions and included nearly 100 rare disease drugs in its medical insurance scheme. The medical insurance fund allocated 8.6 billion yuan (1.2 billion USD) for rare disease drugs in 2024, accounting for 7.7% of total payments. The country has also established a rare disease reporting system covering 1.15 billion people and a national rare disease diagnosis and treatment collaboration network with 419 medical institutions.

China has significantly expanded its rare disease treatment landscape, with far-reaching implications for the global market. The country has added 207 rare conditions to its catalog and included nearly 100 rare disease drugs in its medical insurance scheme. In 2024, the medical insurance fund allocated 8.6 billion yuan (approximately 1.2 billion USD) for rare disease drugs, representing 7.7% of total payments Lysosomal Storage Disease Treatment Market Analysis Report 2025-2034: Breakthroughs in Enzyme & Gene Therapies, Early Diagnosis Drive Demand^[1].

This expansion is part of China's broader strategy to improve access to rare disease treatments. The country has established a rare disease reporting system covering 1.15 billion people and a national rare disease diagnosis and treatment collaboration network involving 419 medical institutions. These initiatives aim to enhance early diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial for managing rare diseases effectively.

The global lysosomal storage disease treatment market, valued at USD 9.4 billion in 2024, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% to reach USD 18.1 billion by 2034 Lysosomal Storage Disease Treatment Market Analysis Report 2025-2034: Breakthroughs in Enzyme & Gene Therapies, Early Diagnosis Drive Demand^[1]. The growing incidence of rare genetic disorders such as Fabry, Gaucher, and Pompe disease is a significant driver of market growth. Advances in enzyme replacement therapies and gene therapies, coupled with regulatory frameworks that grant orphan drug designation, are accelerating therapeutic development for these conditions.

Leading companies like Sanofi, Amicus Therapeutics, BioMarin, Takeda Pharmaceutical, and Orchard Therapeutics are actively involved in global distribution expansion and innovation in novel treatment modalities. The enzyme replacement therapy segment held a 73.5% share in 2024, while mucopolysaccharidoses therapies held a 27.4% share Lysosomal Storage Disease Treatment Market Analysis Report 2025-2034: Breakthroughs in Enzyme & Gene Therapies, Early Diagnosis Drive Demand^[1]. The North America lysosomal storage disease treatment market held a 42.3% share in 2024, driven by robust insurance coverage and substantial public funding for research Lysosomal Storage Disease Treatment Market Analysis Report 2025-2034: Breakthroughs in Enzyme & Gene Therapies, Early Diagnosis Drive Demand^[1].

China's rare disease treatment market expansion is likely to influence global market dynamics. Increased investment in diagnostics and therapeutics, coupled with enhanced early detection initiatives, is expected to boost demand and drive pipeline growth. As China continues to invest in rare disease treatment infrastructure, it is poised to become a significant player in the global market.