Cancer drug fight tops China cinema box office

The screen portrayal of a cancer sufferer whose illegal import of foreign medicines into China spurred national policy changes has become a box office hit.

Dying to Survive is based on Lu Yong, who was arrested in 2013 after illegally importing a generic cancer drug in a case that led to public debate about high medical costs.

Released on July 5, the film overtook the first-week takings of Wolf Warrior 2, which last year became China’s highest-grossing film ever.