Core Viewpoint - A nationwide price governance action for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is being implemented across multiple provinces in China, addressing the issue of inflated prices and the pressure it places on medical insurance funds [2][9]. Price Governance Action - Provinces such as Guangxi, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Tianjin have announced price governance measures for TCM, with additional provinces like Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Jilin also participating [2]. - The governance is a response to the significant price discrepancies and the pressure on medical insurance funds caused by high TCM prices [2][11]. Price Discrepancies - Notable TCM products, including An Gong Niu Huang Wan and Ban Lan Gen Granules, have been identified with price differences exceeding 100 times between various manufacturers [3][4]. - A study indicated that out of 93 high-priced TCM products, only 6 had prices close to their theoretical retail prices, highlighting widespread price inflation [3]. Factors Contributing to Price Differences - Price variations are attributed to differences in ingredients, dosage forms, quality standards, and insufficient market competition, leading to concentrated pricing power among certain products [7][11]. - For instance, the daily treatment cost of An Gong Niu Huang Wan can reach 1,898 yuan in Inner Mongolia, significantly higher than the lowest price available [4]. Regulatory Measures - The National Medical Insurance Administration has initiated measures to regulate high-priced TCM products, requiring provinces to verify and adjust prices by July 31 [9][10]. - Provinces have been instructed to impose penalties on companies that fail to comply with price adjustments, including procurement risk identification and potential suspension of product listings [10]. Impact on Pharmaceutical Companies - The price governance affects various pharmaceutical companies, including well-known listed firms such as Taiji Group and Yabao Pharmaceutical, which are now under scrutiny for their pricing practices [12]. - Companies are expected to adapt to a new pricing model based on cost and efficacy, as reliance on high pricing and marketing strategies may no longer be sustainable [13]. Benefits for Patients - The price governance is anticipated to reduce the financial burden on patients, particularly for commonly used medications for chronic diseases, promoting fairer drug pricing and usage [13]. - Increased price transparency is expected to help regulate prescription practices and reduce the misuse of high-priced medications [13].

Core Viewpoint - The nationwide governance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pricing is intensifying, marking a shift from a "policy safe haven" to a "transparent competitive pool," indicating the TCM industry is entering a "cost + efficacy" dual pricing era [1][11][12] Group 1: Price Governance Actions - Multiple regions, including Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Ningxia, Jilin, and Guangxi, have initiated special governance on TCM prices, requiring companies to adjust prices of products deemed excessively high [1][3] - The Guangxi Drug Group Procurement Service Platform announced a governance notice targeting 169 high-priced TCMs, mandating price adjustments based on the "minimum daily cost" within the province [3][4] - A total of 123 TCMs were identified with price discrepancies, with some exceeding the minimum daily treatment cost by over 915 times [3][4] Group 2: Industry Impact and Future Outlook - The governance is expected to pressure companies that have relied on high pricing and marketing costs, pushing them to focus on cost control, process innovation, and genuine clinical value [1][9] - The combination of "volume-based procurement + price governance" is seen as a key path to standardizing drug prices, addressing unreasonable premiums in the distribution chain [11] - Long-term, companies with strong compliance and cost advantages are likely to dominate the market, while smaller firms may face elimination risks if they cannot achieve scale and quality standardization [12] Group 3: Specific Products and Companies Affected - Notable TCM products such as Xiao Chai Hu Granules, Niu Huang Jie Du Pian, and Ban Lan Gen Granules are included in the governance list, with specific pricing adjustments mandated [8][9] - Well-known companies like Shandong Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Group and Taiji Group's subsidiaries are among those named in the governance actions [8][11] - A-share listed company Keyuan Pharmaceutical is planning to acquire 99.42% of Hongjitang, indicating potential consolidation in the industry [8]