The publication of the preliminary formal review results by China’s National Healthcare Security Administration constitutes an important procedural development in the 2026 adjustment of the Basic Medical Insurance Drug Catalog and the Commercial Health Insurance Innovative Drug Catalog. Although this stage does not confer reimbursement status or pricing approval, it confirms compliance with the formal regulatory requirements necessary to advance within the statutory evaluation process. A proper understanding of the legal significance and procedural limits of this review is essential for pharmaceutical companies assessing market access strategies in China. The links below provide access to a detailed legal analysis of the regulatory framework, its practical implications for applicants, and the subsequent stages of expert evaluation and price negotiation, together with the complete official regulatory text for direct reference.