Drug Prices Lowered by 52 Percent on Average after Reform

Recent reforms have effectively lowered drug prices in China, according to the National Health Commission.

In 2018, the State Council, China’s cabinet, decided to impose zero tariffs on imported anti-cancer drugs, and include 17 new anti-cancer drugs in the medical insurance system. In addition, the evaluation of consistency of the quality and efficacy of generic drugs is also underway. So far, 239 varieties have been approved.

During the reform of public hospitals, drug price markups were abolished, the examination and approval procedures for drugs were simplified, and a series of other measures were implemented. As a result, the production and circulation of drugs has been greatly improved.

Meanwhile, China has accelerated the examination and approval procedures for imported drugs. Under the reform measures, the procedures for new drugs to treat rare and fatal diseases as well as those most needed in clinics have largely been simplified.

Earlier this year, 11 cities including Beijing and Shanghai began centralized procurement of drugs. The pilot work is expected to further lower drug prices.

The 12th National Chinese Language Conference (NCLC) of the United States kicked off on May 9 in the coastal city of San Diego in California. More than 1,300 teachers, administrators, and policymakers from the United States and seven other countries took part in the threeday event.

In collaboration with the Confucius Institute Headquarters, this year’s event was coorganized by the College Board and Asia Society and chose as its theme, “Connecting to a Global Future.”

“Confucius Institute has made an unparalleled contribution to advancing Chinese language education, meeting the demands of studying Chinese language, and promoting the mutual understanding and people-topeople exchanges between China and the United States,” said Ma Jianfei, deputy chief executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters and secretary-general of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching.

“It is through language that one acquires understanding and appreciation for the history and culture of a people,” said Anthony Jackson, vice president of Education at Asia Society.

Over two million American students have studied in Confucius Institutes, and over 1,300 students have been rewarded Confucius Institute scholarships according to official statistics.