China Taking Greater Steps To Reduce Cost Of Key Drugs (China)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
China's Health Ministry plans to create an independent system for production, procurement and distribution of basic drugs as part of a medical reform proposal presented to the legislature. Health Minister Chen Zhu told the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that the government should play a bigger role in medical care and public health service. He suggested greater government responsibility and input in such things as ensuring safer and cheaper drugs. He noted a lack of government funding has led medical institutions to rely on profits from medical services and prescriptions, driving up the prices for both, and said the ministry would reduce hospital involvement in drug sales. (Click here for more