Core Insights - The recent price governance actions on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have become less public, with many provinces opting for closed-door processes to handle pricing issues [1][2][9] - The high pricing of TCM has been a long-standing issue, with previous studies indicating that a significant number of TCM products are overpriced [4][5] - The ongoing price governance is expected to lead to a significant industry reshuffle, with many companies facing financial pressures due to continuous price cuts and declining market demand [10][11] Group 1: Price Governance Actions - Various provinces have initiated price governance for TCM, but details are often not disclosed publicly, requiring companies to log in to access specific information [1][2][9] - The price governance actions were prompted by public outcry over the high costs of TCM compared to Western medicine, revealing significant price discrepancies [2][4] Group 2: Industry Challenges - The TCM industry is experiencing financial difficulties, with a reported total revenue of 356.19 billion yuan for 75 listed TCM companies in 2024, a decrease of 4.6% year-on-year [10] - Major TCM companies, such as Pien Tze Huang and China Resources Sanjiu, have reported declines in revenue and net profit, indicating a challenging market environment [10][11] - The National Medical Insurance Administration plans to expand drug procurement alliances by 2025, which will further pressure TCM prices and potentially lead to the elimination of less competitive companies [12][13] Group 3: Future Outlook - The ongoing price governance and procurement reforms are expected to create downward pressure on TCM prices, leading to a necessary industry restructuring [13] - Despite the challenges, there remains potential for high-quality TCM companies to be revalued positively after the industry undergoes a transformation towards product-driven strategies [13]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the significant impact of centralized procurement policies on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry, highlighting the challenges and potential restructuring within the sector due to these changes [1][2][21]. Group 1: Impact of Centralized Procurement - The centralized procurement system has greatly affected the Western medicine industry, and similar pressures are now being felt in the TCM sector as it enters the "procurement era" [1][3]. - The scope of centralized procurement for TCM has expanded from 15 provinces to nationwide, with the number of products increasing to 45, indicating a growing impact on the industry [10]. - Many companies that won bids in the procurement process are now pricing their products close to cost, leading to expectations of profit declines in the TCM industry by 2025 [11][12]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Price Trends - The price index for TCM raw materials peaked in July 2024 and has since dropped over 20%, which has positively affected the profit margins of some winning companies in the procurement process [13][15]. - Some companies, such as Zhaoli Pharmaceutical, are optimistic about their performance in 2024, expecting significant sales growth despite lower bid prices [15]. - The centralized procurement process is expected to lead to a reduction in the number of TCM suppliers, with larger companies likely to gain market share due to their scale and brand influence [20]. Group 3: Financial Performance of TCM Companies - In 2024, the total revenue of 75 listed TCM companies decreased by 4.6%, with net profits down by 18.7%, reflecting the financial strain on the industry [26]. - Major players like Baiyunshan have seen revenue declines, indicating the challenges faced by traditional TCM giants [28]. - The trend of independent TCM products entering centralized procurement is increasing, with significant price reductions observed, such as a 69.3% drop for a product from Guangzhou Baiyunshan [34]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Industry Restructuring - The ongoing centralized procurement policies are expected to accelerate the restructuring of the TCM industry, with many companies facing potential mergers or exits from the market [39]. - The National Medical Insurance Administration plans to expand procurement alliances, which will further challenge companies lacking cost advantages [37]. - Companies with strong R&D capabilities and unique products are likely to thrive in the increasingly competitive environment [41].