China ranks 2nd globally in new drug development, NHC official says

China now ranks second globally in new drug development, accounting for 20 percent of the world's new pharmaceuticals in the pipeline, a health official said on Thursday.

Guo Yanhong, an official of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference that several domestically developed innovative drugs for cancer treatment have received market approval both in China and abroad.

Locally produced human papillomavirus vaccines have also been widely adopted, significantly improving vaccine accessibility.

Meanwhile, a range of domestic medical devices — from advanced CT scanners and surgical robots to artificial hearts and proton and heavy ion radiotherapy systems — have been successfully developed and put into clinical use.

"The overall capacity of health science and technology has continued to strengthen, resulting in a series of groundbreaking advances and landmark achievements," she added.