Assessment of the implementation of accelerated drug marketing registration procedures for antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents in China: based on 2016–2022 review data

Abstract

Objective:Since 2016, China has successively implemented Accelerated Drug Marketing Registration Procedures (ADMRPs) for drugs, including Breakthrough Therapy Drug (BTD), Conditional Approval (CA), and Priority Review and Approval (PRA), which have played an important role in promoting the development and review of clinically urgently needed drugs. In this study, we focused on the antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents approved for marketing through ADMRPs, to provide a reference for promoting the formation of a stable and mature regulatory system for the review and approval of antineoplastic drugs and immunomodulating agents in China.Methods:Reviewed the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) drug review reports for the years 2016–2022 and screened the antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents approved through ADMRPs. Then, with the help of the NMPA website and the Yaozhi Database, two researchers independently queried and entered the detailed information of the selected drugs, and checked with each other. The attribute classification and main characteristics of the drugs were then analyzed with descriptive statistics to obtain the trend of drug types, drug review and approval status, and timeliness.Results:A total of 206 antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents were approved for marketing through five accelerated marketing registration procedures (or procedure combinations), with the average review time shortened by about 81 days. Among them, imported drugs accounted for a larger proportion, the most drugs for treating non-small cell lung cancer and lymphoma, and the largest number of PD-1/PDL-1 inhibitors, but pediatric drugs and rare disease drugs accounted for a smaller proportion.Conclusion:ADMRPs can promote the accessibility of antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents in China and safeguard the life and health rights of more patients. Nevertheless, it is necessary to pay attention to the expansion of the types of indications for medicines and to increase the development of drugs that are urgently needed by a small number of patients.