The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has issued a directive to standardize the procurement process for injectable drugs, requiring that the smallest on-market preparation unit be used for online purchases. This move is aimed at achieving pricing transparency and reducing price disparities caused by variations in packaging quantities and conversion ratios. The directive has been widely reported by local media, although the official document has not been made publicly accessible .
The NHSA’s push for standardized procurement activities is intended to level the playing field for pharmaceutical companies and prevent unfair pricing practices. Provincial Health Administration bureaus have been instructed to guide centralized procurement institutions in implementing the online procurement of injectables, including water-containing injections, powder injections, infusions, and other types, based on the minimum preparation unit such as vials, bottles, bags, etc.
In regions where the product is listed according to the minimum packaging unit, the minimum packaging unit listing price divided by the packaging quantity will be converted into the minimum formulation unit listing price and medical insurance code. This standardization must be implemented before the deadline of August 30, 2024.
Furthermore, the NHSA has emphasized the importance of price coordination before and after the transition to the new online procurement method. For injectables with the same generic names, manufacturers, and content and dosage that are listed for procurement with multiple minimum packing units, the corresponding minimum formulation unit prices will be converted separately, and the lower value will be used as the listing price for the injection, in principle.
This reform is expected to streamline the procurement process, making it more transparent and equitable for all stakeholders involved in the pharmaceutical supply chain. It also reflects the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its healthcare system .- Flcube.com
