Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the issue of pharmaceutical companies engaging in price-fixing and monopolistic practices, leading to significant price increases for essential medications, particularly the drug "新斯的明" (Neostigmine), which has seen price hikes of 11 to 21 times due to collusion among three companies [2][3][19]. Group 1: Price Manipulation and Regulatory Actions - Xianju Pharmaceutical was fined 195 million yuan for its involvement in a monopoly case related to dexamethasone phosphate raw materials [1]. - The price of Neostigmine injection surged from 2-3 yuan to over 30 yuan per unit, representing an increase of over 10 times [6][10]. - The sales revenue of Neostigmine in public medical institutions exceeded 3 billion yuan in 2020, with a year-on-year growth of 446.81% [10]. Group 2: Impact on Patients and Market Dynamics - Neostigmine is critical for treating myasthenia gravis and has no alternative medications, making its price increase particularly harmful to patients [4][14][16]. - The drug was included in the National Shortage Drug List, which pharmaceutical companies used as a pretext for price hikes [11][13]. - By the end of 2024, Neostigmine was included in the tenth batch of centralized procurement, with prices dropping to below 1 yuan per unit, exposing the previous price inflation as unjustified [17][18]. Group 3: Monopolistic Practices and Legal Framework - The collusion among the three companies involved not only price increases but also market division to maintain their market shares [19][20]. - The penalties for monopolistic behavior have historically been light, with the revised Anti-Monopoly Law in 2022 introducing personal liability for executives, marking a shift in enforcement [5][29][35]. - The fines imposed on companies often do not reflect the substantial illegal profits gained from monopolistic practices, leading to calls for stricter enforcement and higher penalties [27][30].

Core Viewpoint - The case involving the price manipulation of the anesthetic drug, Xinsiming Injection, reveals a significant increase in its price due to collusion among major sales companies, leading to penalties exceeding 200 million yuan for the involved parties [1][2][10]. Group 1: Price Manipulation and Market Impact - Xinsiming Injection's price surged by 11-21 times due to a collusion agreement among Shanghai Xinyi United Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Henan Runhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Chengdu Huixin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. [1][10] - The drug, which is essential for surgeries and other medical treatments, was previously priced between 3.56-6.8 yuan per unit before the collusion, and later reached prices of 71.5 yuan, 36 yuan, and 35.8 yuan in different markets [6][7]. - The total procurement amount for Xinsiming Injection in hospitals was reported at 776 million yuan in 2021, with sales revenue for the drug reaching 511 million yuan for the same year [8]. Group 2: Regulatory Actions and Penalties - The Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Administration imposed a total fine of 222 million yuan on the three companies involved, with Xinyi United facing the heaviest penalty of 165 million yuan [9][11]. - The case marked the first instance of individual accountability under the revised Anti-Monopoly Law, with personal fines imposed on individuals responsible for the collusion [12]. - Following the investigation, Xinsiming Injection was included in the national centralized procurement list, resulting in a significant price drop to between 0.56 yuan and 0.91 yuan per unit [14]. Group 3: Company Background and Previous Violations - Shanghai Xinyi United and its parent company, Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd., have a history of regulatory violations, including previous penalties for accounting irregularities and price manipulation [15][17]. - The recent penalties are not expected to have a significant impact on Shanghai Pharmaceuticals' overall operations, as the affected business unit contributes less than 1% to the company's total revenue [15].