Personalized medicine in China: An overview of policies, programs, and actions in China

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundOver the past decade, the ascent of personalized medicine (PM) has catalyzed pivotal transformations in healthcare systems on a global scale. Recognizing its crucial importance, the European Commission has prioritized PM within its research directives, allocating funding for international collaborative projects, such as the “Integrating China in the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine” (IC2PerMed) project, which aims to facilitate China's integration into the International Consortium for Personalized Medicine (ICPerMed). This research presents the delineation and examination of existing policies governing PM in China, describing the regulatory framework that encompasses PM within the country.MethodsPubMed, Baidu.com, Google Scholar, Google, and Microsoft Academic as well as official repositories of national and international institutions, were searched to find publications and information pertaining to policies, programs, and action plans concerning PM in China in English and Chinese language. This search encompassed both national and local perspectives and covered documents published until December 2023.ResultsSixteen policies, 18 programs, and 11 actions in China on both national and local base addressing PM approaches and themes were identified. The policies mainly focused on genetics and human genetic resources management, and big data and data security requirements. China's strategic plans and programs emphasized PM's integration into national health strategies, mostly through 13th 5‐year plans and special plans. Finally, the action plans focused on specific applications of PM. The Health and Family Planning Commission and National Health Commission standardized molecular testing, physician approval, and clinical use of antitumor drugs.DiscussionIn recent years, China has implemented a variety of policy measures to address healthcare challenges, focusing on personalized treatment for an aging population. Despite increased government spending, challenges persist, including rising out‐of‐pocket payments and regional disparities. China is heavily investing in PM, utilizing extensive health datasets and diagnostic technologies. China has prioritized technological innovation and large‐scale data collection. While disparities exist between China and Europe, both aim to integrate PM insights into clinical practice for better healthcare outcomes.