Mastering the NMPA Drug Classification System: Tips for Success

nmpa drug classification, china drug classification

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China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) is responsible for regulating medical devices and drugs in China. Its classification system is an important part of the regulatory process for these products. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of China’s NMPA classification system and discuss five things you need to know about it.

Background Information on China’s NMPA

The NMPA in China was established in 2018, consolidating several previous agencies responsible for regulating drugs, medical devices, and food safety. Its role is to regulate and oversee the safety and quality of medical products in China.

The Chinese healthcare system is divided into public and private sectors. The public healthcare system provides basic medical services to citizens, while the private healthcare sector is mainly for richer Chinese citizens and provides specialized private services where patients must pay fees out of pocket.

China’s medical device and pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest in the world, and its rapid growth in recent years has made it an attractive market for foreign companies.

China’s NMPA Classification System

The NMPA medical device classification system is a three-tiered system. The three levels are Class I, Class II, and Class III. The classification system is based on the potential risk to the patient and the level of control needed to ensure safety and efficacy.

  • Class I – Medical devices pose minimal risk to patients and have a low potential for harm. Some examples of Class I medical devices are tongue depressors, surgical gloves, and dental floss.
  • Class II – Class II medical devices and drugs are moderate-risk products that may have some potential harm to the patient if used improperly. Examples of Class II medical devices include contact lenses, x-ray machines, and surgical instruments.
  • Class III – Medical devices carry a high risk of causing severe harm to patients if not handled correctly. Pacemakers, heart valves, and artificial joints are among the medical devices classified as Class III.

The NMPA classification system for drugs is different from that of medical devices.

Drugs are classified as either – 1. small molecule drugs (where there are 5 sub-categories), 2. therapeutic biologics (where there are 3 categories) and 3. traditional Chinese medicine. These classifications can be further broken down as follows – 1. innovative drugs, 2. improved new drugs, and 3. generics.

Five Tips to Know About China’s NMPA

If you’re involved in the healthcare industry, it’s important to understand the regulatory landscape in China. The National Medical Products Administration in China plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products in China. Here are five tips that you should know about the NMPA and its classification system.

Stringent Approval Process

The approval process for medical devices and drugs in China is one of the most stringent in the world. To obtain approval, companies must go through a rigorous process that includes clinical trials and safety assessments.

This process can take up to several years to complete. In recent years, the NMPA has increased its efforts to streamline the approval process and reduce the time it takes to bring products to market.

Regulatory Changes in Recent Years

The Chinese NMPA has undergone significant regulatory changes, with a focus on aligning its regulatory standards with international standards. These changes have included the introduction of new regulations, the restructuring of regulatory agencies, and the implementation of new approval processes. These changes have had a significant impact on companies seeking approval for their products in China.

NMPA’s Role in Ensuring Product Quality and Safety

The NMPA ensures the quality and safety of medical devices and drugs in China. The agency conducts post-market surveillance and takes action when products are found to be unsafe or of poor quality.

In recent years, the NMPA has taken a more proactive approach to regulating products, which has led to increased scrutiny of medical companies and their products.

Challenges Facing NMPA

Like many regulatory agencies, the NMPA faces challenges in its mission to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products in China. One of the biggest challenges is the rapidly changing nature of the healthcare industry, which requires the NMPA to adapt quickly to new technologies and products. Another challenge is the increasing pressure to balance safety and efficacy with the need to bring innovative products to market quickly.

Opportunities for Foreign Companies

Despite the challenges, there are many opportunities for foreign companies in the Chinese market. The NMPA has made efforts to streamline the approval process for foreign companies, and the Chinese government has introduced policies to encourage foreign investment in the healthcare industry. However, companies must still navigate a complex regulatory environment, and cultural and language barriers can pose additional challenges.

China’s NMPA classification system plays a critical role in regulating medical devices and drugs in China. Its classification system helps foreign medical companies better understand the registration process in China. The NMPA has undergone significant regulatory changes in recent years, and while there are challenges, there are also opportunities for foreign companies in the Chinese market.

As the Chinese healthcare industry continues to evolve, it will be important for the NMPA to continue to adapt to new technologies and products to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products in China.


Tran Doan – Director, Pacific Bridge Medical (PBM)
Ms. Doan leads Asian market research, regulatory, and consulting projects at PBM. She graduated with a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, in Mathematics and Economics from Franklin and Marshall College.

Source used in the article: http://english.nmpa.gov.cn/2020-06/30/c_528659.htm