Core Insights - The article highlights the ongoing efforts in drug price governance in China, particularly focusing on the scrutiny of drug prices in the context of centralized procurement and regulatory measures [1][2][8] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - Yunnan Medical Insurance Bureau issued an inquiry regarding the pricing of a specific drug, indicating that the price of the oral solution of Enalapril Maleate by Sichuan Baili Pharmaceutical is significantly higher than similar products, with a price difference of nearly 70 times [3][4] - The inquiry requires the company to justify the pricing structure, including factory price, terminal price, and sales expenses, as well as to address potential issues of price inflation through agents [3][4] Group 2: Market Context - The oral solution of Enalapril Maleate is primarily used for treating hypertension and heart failure, and it was first approved in the U.S. in 2016, with a domestic version launched in 2022 [4][5] - The original drug's price is reported to be approximately 4611.71 yuan per bottle, while the domestic versions are priced around 558 yuan, indicating a significant markup in the market [4][5] Group 3: Price Governance Mechanisms - The Chinese government has implemented a series of measures to regulate drug prices, including centralized procurement and the establishment of a national monitoring price list for drugs [8][9] - The new pricing governance mechanism aims to promote transparency and discourage unethical practices such as kickbacks and monopolistic behaviors, encouraging companies to focus on product quality and innovation [9][10] Group 4: Industry Impact - The ongoing price governance efforts are expected to lead to a more standardized pricing system across provinces, with many regions already implementing local rules for drug pricing [9][10] - The article notes that several companies have begun to voluntarily adjust their prices in response to regulatory pressures, indicating a shift towards more competitive pricing in the pharmaceutical industry [9][10]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the ongoing issues with the timely supply of drugs and medical devices following centralized procurement in various regions of China, indicating a significant number of products have not established delivery relationships post-selection, which raises concerns about the reliability of selected suppliers [1][9]. Group 1: Issues with Drug Supply - As of May 31, 2023, 443 drug specifications have not established timely delivery relationships after centralized procurement in Guangzhou, with nearly 70% of the 221 identified underperforming products having a delivery rate of 0 [9][10]. - The Hebei Provincial Medical Procurement Center has announced that certain companies will be rated as "generally" untrustworthy due to inadequate delivery services, including Suzhou Terui Pharmaceutical and Lizu Group, which are involved in multiple national procurement batches [2][5]. Group 2: Specific Products and Companies - Lizu Group's voriconazole injection was selected in the eighth batch of national procurement at a price of 29.19 yuan per unit, a significant drop from its previous market price of 700-800 yuan, reflecting a price reduction of over 90% [2]. - Northland Pharmaceutical's iohexol injection was selected in the seventh batch of national procurement at a price of 91.3 yuan per unit, being the only contrast agent selected in that batch [3]. Group 3: Regulatory Framework and Consequences - The Hebei Provincial Medical Procurement Center has established a credit evaluation system for pharmaceutical pricing and procurement, categorizing untrustworthy behavior into four levels: "general," "medium," "serious," and "particularly serious" [7]. - Companies identified as untrustworthy may face consequences such as written warnings, risk notifications on procurement platforms, and restrictions on the procurement qualifications of related drugs and materials [7]. Group 4: Broader Supply Issues - Beyond medical institutions, there are also reported supply shortages in designated pharmacies, with 422 drugs not supplied, affecting various products and involving 289 manufacturers [8].

Core Viewpoint - The announcement from the Hebei Provincial Medical Supplies Procurement Center indicates that several companies are being rated as "generally" untrustworthy due to inadequate delivery services for selected products in the national centralized procurement process [1][2][3] Group 1: Companies Involved - Companies listed for potential untrustworthiness include Suzhou Terui Pharmaceutical, Sihuan Pharmaceutical, Lijun Group, Jiangxi Yongfeng Kande Pharmaceutical, Guangdong Saifeng Pharmaceutical, Beijing Fule Technology, and Beijing Beilu Pharmaceutical [1][2] - Lijun Group's voriconazole injection was selected in the eighth batch of national procurement at a price of 29.19 yuan per unit, down from a previous market price of 700-800 yuan, representing a price drop of over 90% [1] - Beilu Pharmaceutical's iopamidol injection was selected in the seventh batch of national procurement at a price of 91.3 yuan per unit, being the only contrast agent selected in that batch [1] Group 2: Regulatory Framework - The Hebei Provincial Medical Security Bureau established a credit evaluation system for drug pricing and procurement in late 2020, categorizing untrustworthy behavior into four levels: "general," "moderate," "serious," and "particularly serious" [3] - The "general" untrustworthiness rating applies to companies that fail to fulfill procurement or delivery contracts without valid reasons and do not notify procurement agencies in advance, provided it does not severely impact clinical treatment [3] - Once a company is rated as untrustworthy, the provincial procurement center will implement measures such as written warnings, risk notifications on procurement platforms, and restrictions on procurement qualifications [3] Group 3: Broader Industry Context - The issue of supply shortages is not limited to medical institutions; designated pharmacies in Hebei also face significant shortages, with 422 drugs reported as unavailable [4] - Other regions, including Liaoning, Hainan, and Guangzhou, have also reported issues with selected companies failing to deliver drugs on time since the implementation of centralized procurement policies [4] - As of May 31, 2023, 443 drug varieties had not established timely delivery relationships post-procurement, with nearly 70% of the identified varieties having a delivery rate of 0% [4] Group 4: Future Developments - By the end of 2024, 612 companies were rated as generally untrustworthy, 76 as moderately untrustworthy, 40 as seriously untrustworthy, and 7 as particularly seriously untrustworthy [5] - A new standard for credit evaluation will be implemented starting from the third quarter of 2025, simplifying the rating system from four levels to three: "untrustworthy," "seriously untrustworthy," and "particularly seriously untrustworthy" [6]

Group 1 - Health元 announced that its subsidiary, Lijuz Group, plans to acquire 64.81% of Imexpharm Corporation for approximately 5.73 trillion VND (about 1.587 billion RMB), which represents 11.45% of Lijuz Group's latest audited net assets [1] - Imexpharm Corporation is a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company engaged in the research, production, and sales of drugs, including antibiotics and cardiovascular medications [1] - After the acquisition, Imexpharm will become a subsidiary of Lijuz Group, aiding in the expansion of the group's overseas market [1] Group 2 - Lijuz Group's revenue has been under pressure, with a reported revenue of 11.812 billion RMB in 2024, a decrease of 4.97% year-on-year, while net profit increased by 5.50% to 2.061 billion RMB [2] - The decline in revenue is attributed to price reductions from national medical insurance negotiations affecting key products, as well as decreased sales in antiviral products following reduced demand due to COVID-19 and flu [2] - Health元 also reported a revenue of 15.619 billion RMB in 2024, down 6.17% year-on-year, with a net profit of 1.387 billion RMB, a decrease of 3.90% [2] Group 3 - Lijuz Group is accelerating its international expansion to enhance its risk resilience, with products already covering Southeast Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa [3] - The company has initiated the construction of an active pharmaceutical ingredient factory in Indonesia to support local and international production, aiming to reduce costs and improve market responsiveness [3] - In 2024, Lijuz Group achieved overseas revenue of 1.724 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 9.69%, accounting for 14.59% of total revenue, which is a 2 percentage point increase from 2023 [3]