Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant price discrepancies of traditional Chinese medicine and chemical drugs in China, particularly in Jilin Province, where the government is taking measures to regulate and adjust these inflated prices [2][3][4]. Price Discrepancies - Jilin Province's public resource trading center lists the price of Jilin Galaxy Pharmaceutical's Niuhuang Shangqing Wan at 198 yuan per box, while the same product is available on e-commerce platforms for around 5 yuan per box, resulting in a price difference factor of 10.88 times [2]. - Similarly, the same company's Liuwei Dihuang Wan is priced at 198 yuan per box on the public trading center, with a price difference factor of 61.88 times compared to the e-commerce price of 5-6 yuan per box [2]. Government Actions - Starting from July, multiple provinces have initiated price governance for certain overpriced traditional Chinese and chemical medicines, requiring companies to adjust their listed prices to reasonable levels [2]. - On July 22, Jilin Province's public resource trading center announced a list of 52 traditional Chinese medicines and 43 chemical drugs with inflated prices, mandating price adjustments [3]. Price Adjustments - As of August 1, 26 out of the 52 overpriced traditional Chinese medicines had their prices adjusted, with some experiencing significant reductions, such as Liao Yuan Yulong Yadong Pharmaceutical's Fufang Danshen Pian, which saw a price drop from 443.5 yuan to 39.93 yuan, a decrease of 91% [3]. - Hebei Shams Pharmaceutical's Shengjing Pian was reduced from 987.8 yuan to 93 yuan, a decrease of 90.59% [3]. Red Mark Management - Certain drugs, including Chongqing Xieran Pharmaceutical's Yuanhu Zhitong Pian and Jilin Galaxy Pharmaceutical's Niuhuang Shangqing Wan and Liuwei Dihuang Wan, have not undergone price adjustments and are managed under red mark pricing due to their prices being more than five times the minimum daily treatment cost in the province [4][6]. Price Variations Across Regions - There are significant price differences for the same drugs across different provinces, with some products showing discrepancies of over 70 times. For instance, the price of Langzhi Group's Shuanghuanglian injection varies from 598 yuan in Inner Mongolia to 124 yuan in Liaoning [7]. - The same company's Xuesaitong injection shows a price of 398 yuan in Inner Mongolia compared to only 5.5 yuan in Liaoning and Hebei, indicating a price difference factor of 72 times [7]. Conclusion - The ongoing price governance and adjustments reflect the government's efforts to regulate the pharmaceutical market and ensure fair pricing for consumers, while also highlighting the challenges posed by significant regional price disparities [2][3][4][7].

Core Viewpoint - The issue of excessively high prices for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been resolved, as evidenced by recent government actions targeting price adjustments for numerous TCM products across various provinces [1][2][4]. Group 1: Price Governance Actions - The Guangxi Drug Procurement Service Platform announced a price adjustment for 169 high-priced TCMs, requiring companies to complete adjustments by July 30 [1]. - Multiple provinces, including Jilin, Henan, and Jiangsu, have initiated price governance for TCMs, with notable products like An Gong Niu Huang Wan and Ban Lan Gen Granules being included [2]. - Jilin Province identified 52 TCMs with significant price discrepancies, with price differences ranging from 10 to over 117 times the minimum daily cost [2][3]. Group 2: Price Discrepancies and Examples - The price of TCMs is significantly higher compared to chemical drugs, with some products showing price differences exceeding 100 times [2]. - For instance, the price of Yuan Hu Zhi Tong Pian from Chongqing Xieran Pharmaceutical Co. is 110 yuan, with a daily cost of 45.83 yuan, leading to a price difference of 117.51 times the minimum daily cost [2][3]. Group 3: Historical Context and Ongoing Issues - The problem of high TCM prices has been persistent, with a 2009 study indicating that out of 93 high-priced TCMs, only 6 had prices close to their theoretical retail prices [4]. - Factors contributing to high prices include an inadequate pricing mechanism, numerous distribution channels, and commercial bribery in the pharmaceutical sector [4]. Group 4: Regulatory Developments - The National Medical Insurance Administration has initiated ongoing price governance for TCMs, with 28 provinces improving their drug pricing rules [4][5]. - The governance focuses on "average daily treatment costs," with penalties for products exceeding set price thresholds [5]. Group 5: Market Adaptations and Future Strategies - TCM companies are adapting to regulatory changes by exploring new profit avenues outside traditional markets, such as health products and wellness items [8]. - Companies like Li Shizhen and Tong Ren Tang are launching health-oriented products, indicating a shift in focus towards future growth opportunities [8][9].