China negotiates lowering medicine prices with pharma firms
Of five drugs for treating serious diseases, including cancer
The head of China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission has said her officials are negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices of five drugs under a pilot programme that could be expanded in future.
While she did not name the pharmaceutical firms taking part, Li Bin said during a meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, that the patented medicines under discussion treat serious disease, including cancer. Stating that there had been a 'breakthrough' in these talks, she noted: 'These drugs are expensive. After negotiation the price drop was very significant and in general could cut more than 50% of the price. We are taking measures especially to resolve issues of high-priced patented drugs and patients unable to afford medicines.'
Chinese state news agency Xinhua has reported that once the negotiations are completed, these reduced-price medicines could be covered by China health insurance, quoting Ma Xiaowei, the commission's deputy head.
The announcement comes after the commission released details of a three-year action plan to boost cancer prevention and treatment within China, which will extend to December 2017.
Key elements of the plan include boosting the availability of anti-cancer drugs. It says that food and drug supervision departments will strengthen the supervision of the production and distribution of anti-tumour medicines within China. Also the commission will hasten reviews and approvals for manufacture and innovation regarding generic drugs, based on medicines whose patents are about to expire.