It's been less than a year since Beijing cut back red tape on drug approvals and already Chinese patients can expect to get some breakthrough medicines before Americans. After decades of being starved of innovative treatments for serious conditions like cancer, diabetes and kidney disease, China's 1.4 billion people are becoming global pharma's prime target. They've got more medical insurance than ever and millions are paying out of their own pockets for western treatments that aren't covered. （To Get the Latest Drugs, Head to China, by Today）
Comment
Cutting back red tape on drug approvals is a measure of China to improve people's livelihood. As self-developed drug is highly cost, difficult and has long cycle, only strict intellectual property protection can effectively guarantee the initiative of enterprises focusing on the research and development of original drugs.
（Editor Li Xingyi）
（All contents of this newspaper may not be reproduced or used without express permission）