Core Viewpoint - The significant price discrepancies between hospital and retail pharmacy prices for the same medication raise concerns about the effectiveness of centralized procurement policies and the trust in public healthcare systems [2][3]. Price Discrepancies - A specific example highlights that the price of pediatric calcium carbonate D3 granules is 34.93 yuan in a hospital, while the same product is priced at approximately 19 yuan in pharmacies and e-commerce platforms, resulting in a price difference of 15.93 yuan [2]. - The price of the same medication can vary significantly across different sales channels, with instances of hospital prices being higher than retail prices and vice versa [3]. Centralized Procurement Issues - The pediatric calcium carbonate D3 granules were included in centralized procurement in 2022, with a winning bid price of 3.795 yuan per bag, which was further reduced to 2.495 yuan per bag in subsequent procurement rounds [3][4]. - Despite the centralized procurement prices, hospitals are reportedly selling the medication at prices that exceed these rates, indicating a disconnect between procurement prices and actual supply costs [4][6]. Factors Contributing to Price Differences - The pricing discrepancies are attributed to several factors, including the dynamic nature of market conditions, hidden service costs in hospitals, and the competitive pricing strategies of retail pharmacies and e-commerce platforms [6][7]. - Regulatory gaps and insufficient monitoring of real-time prices across different sales channels contribute to the lack of price uniformity [8]. Regulatory Responses - The National Medical Insurance Administration has initiated measures to address price discrepancies, including monitoring and comparing prices across various platforms to ensure compliance with procurement guidelines [10][11]. - Local governments are also implementing stricter regulations to align hospital prices with those of retail pharmacies and e-commerce platforms, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in drug pricing [11][12]. Future Directions - Experts suggest that a more transparent pricing mechanism is necessary, potentially resembling e-commerce platforms, to allow for direct price comparisons and foster competition among pharmaceutical companies [12].
医院卖34.93元药店19元 同款药为何不同价?