China’s Joint Procurement Office (JPO) announced plans on July 11 to conduct a volume-based procurement (VBP) round for orthopedic spine medical consumables, marking the third such initiative following previous rounds for coronary stents and artificial joints. The three-year cycle aims to standardize procurement and reduce costs.
Bidding Structure
The JPO will focus on 14 product categories, including anterior cervical screw plates, posterior cervical screw rods, and posterior thoracolumbar spine screw rods. Bidding will be grouped by product system, with manufacturers bidding per unit. Companies capable of supplying complete components nationwide will be ranked by intended purchase volume, with the top 85% forming Group A, and others in Groups B and C.
Participation Rules
All public medical institutions (including military hospitals) that used spinal consumables in 2021 must participate. Designated private institutions covered by medical insurance may join voluntarily based on provincial regulations.
Pricing Rules
Manufacturers must file a single price per product system, covering components, distribution, tools, and services. Prices for identical parts or services must be consistent across systems. Winning bids in Groups A and B are determined by ascending price order, with Group C manufacturers eligible if their bids do not exceed the average price of corresponding products in Groups A and B.-Fineline Info & Tech
