Jakarta, WorldWartaGlobal.id
Monday, September 8, 2025
That was the response of China's highest official after the people protested loudly against the high price of medicine there.
The protest wasn't conveyed through large demonstrations that involved burning. The protest was "only" conveyed through a feature film. The film was a huge hit. Watched by almost everyone in China: a feature film based on the people's suffering due to high drug prices.
There were indeed real protests before the film was made. Real demonstrations. The protesters were protesting against the prison. The city's residents flocked with posters. They demanded the release of the man being held in the city jail. "He's not a criminal. He's our savior," said the protester.
The demonstration—and the reasons behind it—were the subject of a film. Its title, in English, is Dying to Survive. The original title was "I'm Not a God of Healing."
Is it really a blockbuster?
"I've seen it. Twice. I always cry," said the hotel clerk where I'm currently staying in Beijing.
"I've seen it too. Everyone's seen it," said Janet, who had accompanied me to Wisma Indonesia the day before.
Since the demonstration, especially since the film caused a stir, the central government has made swift decisions. Foreign pharmaceutical companies were summoned and asked to lower drug prices. Import taxes on drugs were removed.
After drug prices dropped drastically, cancer drugs were added to the list of drugs reimbursed by China's National Health Insurance (BPJS). These drugs used to be expensive and weren't included in BPJS. Patients who received treatment through BPJS initially received different medications. Cheaper ones—less effective.
Since the uproar, 91 types of patented drugs have been included in BPJS. In fact, that number has recently increased to 3,100 types of drugs. A drastic change.
Public protests have drastically changed government policy.
I learned about the film "Dying to Survive" from Dr. Jagaddhito, who had just come to Beijing from Rizhao, where he was pursuing his interventional cardiology subspecialty degree.
In Rizhao, Shandong, Jagad was shocked to see the very low prices of medicine at the hospital, including the prices of heart stentes and other equipment.
Dr. Jagaddhito kept asking why they were so cheap. Finally, he received an explanation that the low prices had only been around for a few years. "Since the film "Dying to Survive" came out."
That was in 2018.
A resident of Yiyang City, Hunan Province, was suffering from blood cancer (leukemia). Yiyang City is an hour's drive from the major city of Changsha, a three-hour drive from Wuhan, the capital of the neighboring province.
The man's name was Lu Yong. He complained about the high cost of leukemia medication, which wasn't covered by the National Health Insurance (BPJS). Thanks to the internet, he learned that the price of medicine in India was much cheaper, less than 20 percent. So he asked a friend to secretly travel to India to buy his cancer medication.
Eventually, fellow sufferers asked for the medicine. So, the man became a "smuggler" of cancer drugs. He brought more and more drugs from India. Finally, it was discovered. He was arrested and jailed.
That's when the families of cancer patients protested. They went to the prison. They carried posters demanding his release. "He's not a criminal. He's our family's savior."
The impact of the demonstration was extraordinary. The government took swift action. Pharmaceutical companies—foreign companies in China—were deemed to be profiting too much.
The government itself corrected itself: one of the reasons for the high prices was taxes. Immediately, taxes were removed for 41 types of drugs.
Not only did drug prices drop—by 63 percent—but the regulations for drug production were also changed and simplified.
Premier Li Keqiang (at the time) immediately revolutionized China's drug and healthcare system. "People no longer have to choose between life and bankruptcy," he said.
Since then, public healthcare services have become more equitable. Those receiving treatment through the National Health Insurance (BPJS) program (BPJS) receive the same quality medication as those not covered by BPJS.
It could be said that Dying to Survive was a global success. It transformed the country's healthcare system. The aspirations expressed through film were also well-received.
Business-wise, the film was indeed a huge success. In its first 11 days of release, it generated revenues of 5 trillion rupiah. It then grew to 10 trillion rupiah. It was the highest-grossing film of all time in China.
This was Wen Muye (文牧野)'s first time directing a feature film. His fame immediately skyrocketed.
"Are there any cinemas still showing it? I want to see it," I asked the hotel clerk.
"It's not showing anymore. But you can watch it on your TV in your room," he said. I asked the clerk to help me find the film. Apparently, there's a kind of Chinese "Netflix" that plays local films.
The opening music was very familiar to me: Indian music. The song was also Indian. Watching this film initially felt like watching an Indian film.
I also asked myself: how did director Wen get his film passed by the institution?
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