Development and Reform Commission: Decrease the price of 162 drugs by an average of 21%

Business News Agency March 7th Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a notice deciding to reduce the maximum retail prices of some antibiotics and circulatory system drugs that are mainly used for the treatment of infections and cardiovascular diseases from March 28, involving a total of 162 varieties. There are nearly 1300 dosage forms. The adjusted price is reduced by an average of 21% from the current stipulated price, and it is expected to reduce the burden on the people by nearly 10 billion yuan each year.

According to the person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission, antibiotics and circulatory system drugs are widely used, and reducing the prices of their products has an important role in reducing the economic burden on patients. On the basis of cost and price surveys, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) finalized the price adjustment plan after reviewing the experts and listening to opinions from relevant parties.

The person in charge of the National Development and Reform Commission pointed out that the price adjustment has taken into account factors such as the cost of drug production and the actual transaction price of the market, distinguishing different situations, and highlighting key points. Drugs with high daily expenses have increased price reduction, and drugs with low daily expenses have reduced prices or have not reduced prices. The purpose is to reduce the burden on patients while ensuring the supply of drugs with relatively low prices; and to control appropriately innovative drugs such as patents. The rate of price cuts is to encourage the research and development of pharmaceuticals; the prices of drugs that have been singly priced are further narrowed, and the price difference between them and drugs that are uniformly priced is further narrowed to maintain a fair competitive environment for the market.

The responsible person of the National Development and Reform Commission stated that the necessary supervision of drug prices is a measure that is widely adopted by all governments. Reasonably controlling medical expenses, reducing the burden of drug charges for patients, rectifying the order of the pharmaceutical market, and adjusting the prices of medicines in a planned and systematic way is one of the important aspects of deepening the reform of the medical and health system. After the price reduction plan is announced, the National Development and Reform Commission will, in accordance with the established work plan, gradually reduce the prices of drugs within the pricing range of other governments in batches. The price adjustment will be based on the average social cost of pharmaceutical production and operation, and will be determined by considering factors such as market supply and demand. For raw drugs that have passed the patent protection period, the price difference with ordinary generic drugs should be further reduced. For the new medicines listed in the Medicare Catalogue, it is necessary to explore and formulate uniform prices as the basis for reimbursement and billing of medical insurance.