China has announced plans to refine its centralized medicine procurement policies, reinforcing quality evaluations and regulatory oversight to ensure public confidence in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain, according to an official report released on Wednesday.
The announcement follows a recent investigation into quality concerns surrounding off-patent medicines distributed to public hospitals. While the country’s healthcare regulator dismissed these concerns in February as unsubstantiated, the government is now prioritizing enhanced oversight to strengthen the system.
“We will refine the policy for centralized medicine procurement and enhance quality evaluations and oversight to ensure that our people have full confidence in the medication they use,” the report stated.
Strengthening Drug Pricing and Innovation Support
In addition to procurement reforms, China plans to optimize drug pricing mechanisms and develop a medical insurance catalogue tailored for innovative drugs. This initiative aims to support pharmaceutical development and foster greater accessibility to breakthrough treatments.
China’s centralized drug procurement system, designed to reduce costs and improve drug accessibility, has undergone several adjustments in recent years. These latest reforms signal a continued push toward balancing affordability with quality assurance in the healthcare sector.
As China refines its pharmaceutical policies, the focus remains on ensuring drug safety, enhancing pricing frameworks, and encouraging innovation in the medical field.
