The Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau has announced its participation in the Jiangxi-led interferon inter-provincial alliance volume-based procurement (VBP) tender. Medical institutions are required to submit their demand volumes from September 27 to October 16. The tender includes a total of 15 drug varieties across 95 different specifications, shortlisted from 18 manufacturers, including Anke Bio, Tri-Prime Gene, and Changchun Institute of Biological Products.
National Guidelines for Centralized Procurement
In March of this year, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) issued guidelines regarding provincial centralized procurement and pricing management. The NHSA emphasized Jiangxi’s leadership role in the interferon inter-provincial alliance VBP, with Guangdong designated to lead in the procurement of shortage and emergency rescue drugs. As of now, provinces including Shanxi, Hunan, Beijing, and Ningxia have initiated their demand filing for the interferon VBP, with a deadline set for October 16.
Understanding Interferons and Market Dynamics
Interferons (IFNs) are a class of inducible glycoproteins produced by the immune system, known for their antiviral, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects. Domestic interferons are categorized into short-acting and long-acting types based on their half-life. Long-acting interferons are particularly effective for chronic hepatitis B and C, while short-acting interferons offer flexible delivery options suitable for various viral diseases and some malignant tumors. In 2020, the market size for short-acting and long-acting interferons in China reached RMB 2.231 billion (approximately USD 310 million) and RMB 9.99 billion (around USD 1.38 billion), respectively.-Fineline Info & Tech
