The first batch of Deflazacort, a medication for the clinical treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), temporarily imported by China Sinopharm International Corporation (Sinopharm International) under China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm), was delivered at a handover ceremony held at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), on May 13.

This milestone event marked completion of the first prescriptions for Deflazacort on the Chinese mainland. On the same day, families of eight patients from across China received the medication.

A vehicle for Deflazacort delivery from China National Pharmaceutical Foreign Trade Corporation under Sinopharm International arrives at PUMCH. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Zhang Shuyang (2nd L), president of PUMCH, receives Deflazacort medication from Zhou Song (2nd R), chairman of Sinopharm International, on May 13. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

At the handover ceremony, Zhang Shuyang, president of PUMCH, received the vital Deflazacort medication from Zhou Song, chairman of Sinopharm International. The event was witnessed by Li Linkang, executive director of the China Alliance for Rare Diseases, and Wang Qing, deputy director of the Beijing Capital International Airport Economic Zone’s administrative committee.

The project, from its initial clinical demand proposal to procurement, stocking, approval and clinical application, was completed in just 62 working days.

"The efficient completion of this project is the result of joint efforts made by government departments, medical institutions and import enterprises," said Zhou in an interview with Science and Technology Daily.

"The implementation of such policies as the Temporary Importation Work Plan for Urgently Needed Clinical Medications and the Work Plan to Support Beijing in Deepening the Construction of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector has addressed the difficulties and bottlenecks in the import process. It is crucial for top medical institutions to issue applications, and companies utilize their innovation, industry and supply chains to provide guarantees for drug imports," Zhou added.

China has nearly 20 million patients suffering from various rare diseases, with more than 200,000 new cases diagnosed annually.

Since 2019, leveraging its extensive global network and expertise in the field of rare disease medications gained over the years, Sinopharm International has coordinated with PUMCH to enable the temporary importation of such drugs as Mitotane to treat adrenocortical carcinoma and Clobazam for drug‐resistant epilepsy.

In February, the first batch of Deflazacort was put in storage at the Beijing Tianzhu Free Trade Zone, marking the first rare disease drugs stored after the State Council's designation of the zone as a pilot area for rare disease medication delivery last year.

As the only central State-owned enterprise directly managed by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council that focuses on life and health, Sinopharm has consistently prioritized serving major national strategic needs and safeguarding the health of the people.

Sinopharm International, the primary platform of the group’s international business, has fully leveraged its international healthcare strength and enhanced its global resource allocation and integration capabilities.

By importing high-quality medical raw materials, advanced foreign drugs, cutting-edge treatment technologies and high-end equipment, the company has continually strengthened the resilience and security of China’s pharmaceutical industry and supply chains, significantly contributing to the well-being of the population and the advancement of the Healthy China initiative.