Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the issue of "dual pricing" in pharmacies, where the price of a medication is higher when paid through health insurance compared to cash payments, leading to increased costs for insured individuals and undermining the integrity of the health insurance system [1][2][3] Group 1: Pricing Mechanism - The phenomenon of "dual pricing" results in insured individuals facing higher medication costs, transforming health insurance personal accounts into tools for paying inflated prices [2] - Pharmacies exploit the lack of sensitivity among insured individuals regarding their health insurance accounts, creating a dilemma where consumers feel they lose money regardless of their payment method [1][2] Group 2: Impact on Health Insurance System - The existence of price discrepancies diminishes public trust in the health insurance system, as individuals realize they cannot purchase medications at equivalent prices using their insurance [2] - The practice of "dual pricing" is seen as a means for pharmacies to extract funds from health insurance, potentially leading to fraudulent behaviors and significant leakage of health insurance funds [2] Group 3: Regulatory Recommendations - To address these issues, it is recommended that health insurance authorities establish a dynamic price monitoring mechanism and enhance daily management of designated pharmacies, including increased inspections and penalties for violations [2][3] - The implementation of immediate settlement reforms for health insurance funds is suggested to alleviate financial pressure on pharmacies, thereby reducing the incentive for "dual pricing" practices [3] - A graded management system for designated pharmacies should be established, linking compliance with pricing to health insurance payment limits, rewarding compliant operators while penalizing violators [3]

Group 1 - Fujian Quanzhou has launched an instant settlement model for basic medical insurance funds to improve settlement efficiency and alleviate financial pressure on designated medical institutions [1] - The instant settlement reform establishes an efficient mechanism of "daily payment + monthly settlement" by compressing the settlement cycle and increasing payment frequency [1] Group 2 - Shanghai Pharmaceuticals announced that its subsidiary in Thailand received approval from the Thai FDA for the registration of Pregabalin capsules, which are used to treat various types of neuropathic pain and as an adjunct therapy for epilepsy [3] - Gilead Sciences announced that the FDA approved its injectable HIV-1 capsid inhibitor Yeztugo for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of HIV infection in adults and adolescents weighing 35 kg or more [4] Group 3 - Haizheng Pharmaceutical plans to establish a joint venture for synthetic biology with its wholly-owned subsidiary, with a registered capital of 350 million yuan, aiming to support the professional and large-scale development of its synthetic biology business [6] - Nuo Vision announced a plan to repurchase shares worth between 5 million and 10 million yuan for employee stock ownership plans, with a repurchase price not exceeding 30 yuan per share [7] - Tiankang Biological's subsidiary Tiankang Pharmaceutical has completed the counseling acceptance for its public stock issuance and listing on the Beijing Stock Exchange [8] Group 4 - Baike Biological received approval from the National Medical Products Administration for clinical trials of its influenza virus split vaccine, which aims to provide new vaccination options for individuals aged 60 and above [10] - Dizhi Pharmaceutical announced the completion of patient enrollment for its global Phase III clinical study of its lung cancer targeted drug, which compares its drug with platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer [11] Group 5 - The FDA announced the launch of the "Commissioners National Priority Voucher" program to expedite new drug review times from approximately 10-12 months to 1-2 months for eligible companies [12] - Shengnuo Biological expects a net profit increase of 254% to 332% year-on-year for the first half of 2025, driven by strong performance in its peptide raw material business [12]

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of the instant settlement reform for medical insurance funds in China is set to significantly improve the financial operations of hospitals, enhance patient experiences, and promote the collaborative development of the healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceutical sectors. Group 1: Reform Overview - In 2024, a unified and improved prepayment system for medical insurance funds will be established at the national level, with a total prepayment scale of 72.3 billion yuan in the first quarter of 2025, addressing the funding pressure faced by hospitals [1] - The instant settlement reform aims to shift from a "post-payment" model to a timely payment system, alleviating the financial burden on hospitals and patients [1][2] - The National Medical Insurance Administration has set a goal for 80% of coordinated regions to achieve instant settlement by 2025, with full coverage expected by 2026 [2] Group 2: Implementation and Impact - As of March 2025, 24 provinces have implemented instant settlement, covering 246,700 designated medical institutions with a total payment amount of 165.7 billion yuan, effectively easing operational pressures on hospitals [2] - Innovative mechanisms in provinces like Anhui and Shandong have significantly reduced payment timelines, enhancing cash flow for medical institutions and improving the overall efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry [3] - The reform allows patients to avoid upfront payments for medical expenses, reducing the time and effort spent on reimbursement processes, thereby improving the overall healthcare experience [3]