Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing price governance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products across multiple provinces in China, highlighting the significant price discrepancies and the government's efforts to regulate these prices to alleviate the financial burden on patients and the healthcare system [2][3][5][21]. Group 1: Price Governance Initiatives - Multiple provinces, including Guangxi, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Tianjin, have announced price governance measures for TCM products, indicating a nationwide effort to address high prices [2][3]. - The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) has issued a report identifying TCM products with prices significantly higher than the lowest available options, prompting provincial authorities to take action [15][16]. Group 2: Price Discrepancies - There are extreme price differences for the same TCM products across different regions, with some products priced over 100 times higher than the lowest price available [6][9][10][11][12]. - For example, in Ningxia, a single unit of An Gong Niu Huang Wan is priced at 998 yuan, which is 11 times the lowest daily treatment cost for the same product [8]. Group 3: Factors Contributing to Price Variability - Price differences can be attributed to variations in ingredients, dosage forms, quality standards, and insufficient market competition, leading to concentrated pricing power among certain manufacturers [13]. - The complexity of TCM formulations and the lack of standardized quality control further exacerbate pricing issues [24]. Group 4: Impact on Pharmaceutical Companies - The price governance measures affect various pharmaceutical companies, including both small enterprises and established publicly listed firms like Tai Chi Group and Huason Pharmaceutical [21]. - Companies are under pressure to adjust their pricing strategies in response to the new regulations, with some indicating that the impact on their operations will be minimal [22]. Group 5: Patient Benefits and Future Outlook - The governance is expected to reduce the financial burden on patients, particularly for commonly used medications for chronic diseases, promoting fairer pricing and rational drug use [23]. - Experts suggest that while price governance is a step forward, it may not fully resolve the issue of price discrepancies, and additional measures such as collective procurement and improved industry standards are necessary [24].

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]