According to the Economic Observer, an independent Chinese weekly newsletter, a series of discussions preceding the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) price negotiation occurred from October 16 to 18. These pre-negotiation talks, which serve as one-on-one communications prior to the formal negotiation process, were divided into three groups this year. Personnel from the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) participated, aiming to provide enterprises with expectations of price reductions and guide them accordingly.
Following the National Day Holiday, the NHSA reportedly completed fund calculations and pharmaceutical economic calculations at Xiaotangshan town in Beijing municipality. Traditionally, two groups of experts perform consecutive calculations, each presenting a price to the NHSA. The administration then determines a negotiated price based on specific rules, known as the “envelope price.”
A communication meeting convened by the NHSA last month, which addressed the varieties that have passed the formal review, raised concerns among manufacturers. The meeting indicated that the comprehensive evaluation rate for the NRDL negotiations in 2024 is less than 50%, suggesting a potentially stricter negotiation process this year.
This year’s NRDL price negotiation process highlights the ongoing efforts to balance affordability with accessibility in China’s healthcare system, as the NHSA works to secure the best possible prices for medicines included in the national reimbursement list.- Flcube.com
