China's Special Medical Zone -- With New Drugs and Treatments for Patients

What is Boao Lecheng?

The Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone — China's only government-designated "medical special zone" — recorded over 30,000 special-access drug and device patient-visits in Q1 2026, up 69.85 percent year-over-year. For the full year of 2025, the zone welcomed 865,300 medical tourism visits, more than doubling the prior year.

Located in Hainan Province, Lecheng allows hospitals to import and use drugs and medical devices that are approved overseas but not yet registered on the Chinese mainland. More than 560 such products have been introduced to date, benefiting over 200,000 patients.

Breakthrough Treatments Now Accessible

Several globally significant therapies recently became available through Lecheng's special-access pathway:

• Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT): China's first clinical BNCT cancer treatment was performed at Lecheng in March 2026. A patient with advanced recurrent tongue cancer recovered after a single 30-minute session — a precision radiotherapy previously available only in Japan.
• Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream): The FDA-approved vitiligo treatment has been available at Lecheng since 2023, treating thousands of patients well ahead of broader mainland availability.
• Nucleus Nexa System: The world's first smart cochlear implant was implanted at a Lecheng hospital, restoring hearing for a young patient with severe hearing loss.
• Cell and gene therapies: 19 approved cell and gene therapy treatments are now available in the zone, including stem cell and immunotherapies for conditions from osteoarthritis to hematologic cancers.

What This Means for International Patients

Two recent policy changes are especially relevant for patients traveling from abroad:

Zero tariffs. Since late 2024, imported drugs and medical devices entering Lecheng are exempt from import duties and VAT — with reported cost reductions of 30–40 percent for some imported drugs and high-end devices.

Carry-away provision. Stable patients with a clear diagnosis may take a reasonable self-use supply of certain oral and topical therapies home after discharge, under strict traceability requirements — meaning patients do not need to remain in China for the full course of treatment.

As always, patients should consult with a qualified specialist to determine whether a specific therapy is available and appropriate for their situation.

Sources: Hainan — Q1 2026 special-access figures · Lecheng zero-tariff policy · People's Daily — Lecheng pilot zone