On July 9 the National Health Commission and two other agencies published the 2026 National Essential Medicines List, effective Sept. 1. Semaglutide is included but restricted to diabetes treatment and does not cover weight‑loss indications. Novo Nordisk is currently the sole supplier in China; more than 10 domestic firms have filed marketing authorization applications for generic versions. Novo says the compound patent expired in China earlier this year but regulatory data exclusivity runs unti

On July 9 the National Health Commission and two other agencies published the 2026 National Essential Medicines List, effective Sept. 1. Semaglutide is included but restricted to diabetes treatment and does not cover weight‑loss indications. Novo Nordisk is currently the sole supplier in China; more than 10 domestic firms have filed marketing authorization applications for generic versions. Novo says the compound patent expired in China earlier this year but regulatory data exclusivity runs until Q2 next year, after which generics could legally enter the market.