A male patient surnamed Hao became the first person in Qianhai and Nanshan District to benefit from imported drugs under the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” policy yesterday morning.

Hao, 55, has been suffering from hyperlipidemia for many years. He had to visit the Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital twice a month for medication injections to control his blood lipid levels.

Hao received a dose of Inclisiran yesterday, which is sold under the brand name Leqvio and only requires a single injection every six months. “I had planned to travel to Hong Kong to receive a Leqvio shot, as it boasts better and longer-lasting efficacy. The imported drug has saved me a lot of trouble,” Hao said.

Leqvio and Alpelisib are the first two drugs imported by the Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital from Hong Kong and Macao under the “Hong Kong and Macao Medicine and Equipment Connect” policy. The hospital was included in the policy in February, and the procurement process for these two drugs was completed Tuesday.