By Fineline Cube China’s National Joint Procurement Office (NJPO) announced preliminary results for the 12th batch of national centralized volume-based drug procurement (VBP) on July 31, 2026, with major domestic pharmaceutical companies and international originator manufacturers securing significant positions in the latest round of the country’s aggressive cost-containment initiative.
Procurement Process & Compliance Framework
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Batch | 12th National Centralized VBP |
| Announcement Date | 31 Jul 2026 |
| Public Notice Period | Through 05 Aug 2026 |
| Compliance Requirement | Five bidders >2 standard deviations below average must submit “Declaration of Price Reasonableness” |
| Non-Compliance Penalty | Disqualification and placement on “Non-Compliance List” |
| Selection Criteria | Clinical recognition, quality assurance, and supply stability prioritized |
Market Winners & Strategic Outcomes
Domestic Pharmaceutical Leaders
- Qilu Pharmaceutical: Over a dozen products selected
- Kelun Pharmaceutical: Over a dozen products selected
- Shijiazhuang No. 4 Pharmaceutical: Over a dozen products selected
- Brilliant Pharmaceutical: Over a dozen products selected
These established domestic manufacturers demonstrated their competitive advantage through proven quality control systems, reliable supply chains, and strong clinical adoption records—key factors that aligned with NJPO’s emphasis on sustainable market access over purely price-driven selection.
International Originator Successes
Seven originator drugs successfully secured contracts, representing a notable shift in China’s procurement dynamics:
- Maruishi Pharmaceutical: Sevoflurane (anesthetic)
- Novartis AG: Sacubitril/valsartan (heart failure)
- Bayer AG: Iopromide (contrast agent)
- Eisai Co.: Betahistine (vertigo) and perampanel (epilepsy)
- Abbott Laboratories: Dydrogesterone (hormone therapy)
- Fresenius Kabi: Fat emulsion (C14–24) (parenteral nutrition)
This outcome reflects China’s evolving approach to pharmaceutical procurement, balancing cost containment with recognition of therapeutic innovation and clinical value, particularly for complex or specialized medications where generic alternatives may present quality or efficacy concerns.
Market Implications & Industry Impact
- Pricing Pressure Continues: The VBP mechanism maintains intense downward pressure on drug prices, with average price reductions typically exceeding 50% in previous rounds
- Quality Emphasis: NJPO’s focus on “guaranteed quality and stable supply” signals a maturation of the procurement process beyond simple lowest-price selection
- Market Consolidation: Smaller manufacturers face increasing barriers to entry, accelerating industry consolidation among established players with robust manufacturing capabilities
- International Strategy Adjustment: Global pharmaceutical companies are adapting their China strategies, with some accepting lower margins to maintain market presence while others focusing on innovative products outside VBP scope
- Supply Chain Resilience: The emphasis on stable supply highlights lessons learned from pandemic-era disruptions and reinforces the importance of local manufacturing capacity
Forward-Looking Considerations
The final results, expected after the August 5 public notice period concludes, will determine market share allocation for the next contract period. Companies failing to submit required price reasonableness declarations risk not only disqualification but also reputational damage through inclusion on the Non-Compliance List—a designation that could impact future procurement participation.
Industry observers note that this round demonstrates China’s increasingly sophisticated approach to pharmaceutical procurement, balancing aggressive cost containment with pragmatic considerations around product quality, clinical outcomes, and supply chain reliability.
Forward-Looking Statements
This brief contains forward-looking statements regarding regulatory processes, market dynamics, and commercial expectations related to China’s pharmaceutical procurement system. Actual results may differ due to policy changes, implementation challenges, and competitive responses.-Fineline Info & Tech