Group 1 - The article highlights the significant reduction in drug prices and the improvement in healthcare coverage for rural residents over the past fifteen years, particularly through the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme [1][3] - The reimbursement rate for inpatient care has increased from a low level at the start of the program to around 70% currently, indicating a substantial enhancement in financial support for medical expenses [3][8] - The article provides specific examples of individuals, such as Liu Guiying, who have experienced a decrease in monthly medication costs, with the price of a commonly used drug, Captopril, dropping from 28 yuan to 4 yuan per box, resulting in over a 50% reduction in her monthly drug expenses [2][4] Group 2 - Despite the improvements, there are still challenges faced by patients, such as the withdrawal of certain effective imported drugs from the reimbursement list, leading to increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients like Liu Guiying [4][6] - The disparity in healthcare benefits between different insurance schemes is evident, with urban employees enjoying better coverage compared to rural residents, as seen in the cases of Liu Guiying and Ai Fenglan [7][8] - The funding structure for urban employee insurance is more robust due to contributions from both employers and employees, while rural resident insurance relies heavily on government subsidies and individual payments, resulting in a smaller overall funding pool [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - After a decade of growth, multinational pharmaceutical companies are facing a changing environment in China, entering a phase of cyclical adjustment, as evidenced by Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMS) decision to sell 60% of its stake in its joint venture in China, Shanghai Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical (SASS) [1][3][4] Group 1: Company Actions - BMS has signed an agreement to sell its 60% stake in SASS to Hillhouse Capital, with the transaction expected to be completed by early 2026 [2][3] - The divestiture reflects BMS's evolving network strategy, allowing the company to focus resources on core areas with the highest growth potential [2][5] - BMS's decision to exit the joint venture indicates a shift towards innovation and a focus on drug development rather than reliance on established products [4][13] Group 2: Market Context - The Chinese pharmaceutical market has undergone significant changes, with government policies increasingly favoring innovative drugs, making it difficult for multinational companies to rely on high-priced original drugs [8][9] - The implementation of centralized procurement policies since 2018 has severely compressed profit margins for off-patent original drugs, with price reductions typically ranging from 50% to 85% for selected drugs [5][9] - BMS's revenue from mature products has declined by 20%, primarily due to intensified competition from generics and changes in U.S. healthcare policies [6][7] Group 3: Strategic Implications - Analysts suggest that multinational pharmaceutical companies must adapt to the changing landscape by focusing on innovative drug development, local partnerships, and financial health [3][13] - The transition from a broad coverage strategy to a more focused approach emphasizes the importance of local ecosystems and collaboration with domestic firms [3][10] - Future strategies may include prioritizing high-barrier and differentiated innovative drugs, deepening local cooperation, and restructuring business models to mitigate risks associated with mature products [13][12]