On the 8th, Director of Health Chan Hon-mao stated at the Legislative Council meeting that since the new drug approval mechanism ("1+" mechanism) took effect, the Department of Health has received over 80 inquiries from more than 260 pharmaceutical companies and approved a total of 5 new drug applications. Among them are 2 new drugs for treating metastatic colorectal cancer, 1 for treating paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, 2 for treating patients with parathyroid cancer, and a new drug for hypercalcemia in patients with certain primary hyperparathyroidism.

Chan Hon-mao revealed that 2 new drugs for treating metastatic colorectal cancer have been included in the Hospital Authority's list of specialty drugs. The Hospital Authority has also successfully conducted procurement negotiations, not only reducing the cost of drugs by nearly 30%, but also allowing patients prescribed these 2 drugs under specific clinical applications to pay a standard fee of 15 yuan, significantly easing the financial burden. It is estimated that approximately 300 cancer patients will benefit each year.

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