Core Viewpoint - The "anti-involution" policy in 2025 emphasizes the importance of drug and medical device procurement, focusing on quality and preventing irrational pricing in the medical industry [1][2]. Group 1: Drug Procurement Policy Changes - The government work report highlights the need to optimize drug and consumable procurement policies, enhancing quality assessment and regulation to ensure safer medication for the public [1]. - The 11th batch of drug procurement initiated in July marks a significant policy shift, reinforcing quality supervision and optimizing price control rules, moving away from the lowest price as a benchmark [1][2]. Group 2: Medical Device Procurement Challenges - The current medical device procurement is still in a trial phase, requiring a robust policy framework and operational guidelines to avoid the pitfalls of low-price bidding, which can compromise quality and profitability [2][4]. - Instances of "super low-price winning bids" in medical device procurement have raised concerns about sustainability and quality, with some bids significantly below production costs [4][5]. Group 3: Quality Assessment and Lifecycle Considerations - Experts emphasize that quality assessment for medical devices should consider the entire lifecycle, as initial low prices may lead to higher long-term costs due to maintenance and performance issues [5][6]. - Hospitals are cautious in procuring medical devices, often conducting thorough evaluations of performance and service quality before making decisions, indicating that price should not be the sole consideration [6]. Group 4: Regulatory Framework and Standardization - The lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical device procurement contrasts with the more established guidelines for drug procurement, leading to a reliance on price competition without adequate quality controls [8][9]. - Recent initiatives in various provinces aim to standardize procurement processes, but a national-level regulatory framework is still needed to guide improvements in medical device procurement [10][12]. Group 5: Industry Development and Innovation - The domestic medical device industry is at a critical stage of innovation and development, with a significant gap in R&D investment compared to international leaders, which could be exacerbated by low-price competition [13][14]. - The high-end medical equipment sector is still catching up, with domestic brands holding approximately 45% market share in CT devices and 40% in MRI devices, indicating room for growth and innovation [14]. Group 6: Future Directions and Recommendations - Industry stakeholders advocate for a shift in procurement evaluation criteria from price-centric to a multi-dimensional assessment that includes technical capabilities, service quality, and product reliability [15]. - Establishing a tracking and accountability mechanism for procurement outcomes is essential to ensure compliance with quality commitments and to prevent low-quality products from disrupting the market [15].