Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing optimization of China's drug procurement policy, emphasizing the principles of "stabilizing clinical use, ensuring quality, preventing collusion, and avoiding internal competition" as the country moves into its eleventh round of drug procurement, which includes 55 drugs [1][6][10]. Group 1: Drug Procurement Overview - Since 2018, China has conducted ten rounds of drug procurement, covering 435 drugs, with the eleventh round now initiated [1][6]. - The National Medical Insurance Administration (NMI) has stated that 480 companies submitted information for the procurement process, with an average of 15 companies per drug, and some drugs having over 40 companies participating [1][6]. Group 2: Optimization Measures - The NMI has optimized procurement rules, including allowing medical institutions to specify brands in their volume reporting and changing the price difference calculation method to not solely rely on the lowest bid [6][10]. - Quality assurance measures have been heightened, requiring that bidding companies have no violations of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the past two years [6][10]. Group 3: Market Impact - The eleventh batch includes a variety of drug forms, with oral sustained-release and injection drugs making up significant portions of the list [6][7]. - Notable drugs include cefazolin and famotidine, with over 30 companies eligible for bidding, indicating high competition [7]. Group 4: Financial Implications - The procurement process has saved approximately 440 billion yuan in medical insurance funds since 2018, with over 360 billion yuan saved from negotiations on older drugs, which has been redirected to innovative drugs [10]. - The shift in procurement policy is moving from a focus on low prices to a model that emphasizes quality, cost control, and reasonable profits [10][11]. Group 5: Regulatory Developments - The NMI is committed to maintaining a transparent and fair procurement process, with ongoing efforts to address issues of price fairness and quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry [12].