Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the upcoming fourth batch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) procurement, highlighting the challenges and changes in the procurement process, including the inclusion of unique products and OTC varieties, as well as the complexities of pricing and quality evaluation in TCM procurement [4][11][12]. Group 1: Procurement Details - The fourth batch of TCM procurement will involve 90 drugs divided into 28 procurement groups, which is an increase in the number of groups compared to previous batches [6]. - The previous batches involved 17 groups with 76 drugs, 16 groups with 42 drugs, and 20 groups with 95 drugs, indicating a trend of increasing complexity in the procurement process [6]. - The procurement will officially start on November 10, with data submission required by November 21 [4]. Group 2: Unique Products and Challenges - The current procurement includes several unique products, such as Yindan Xinnao Tong soft capsules and Yinxin Ertianshu injection, which have faced challenges in previous procurement rounds due to high concentration and pricing difficulties [8][11]. - The high concentration of unique products in TCM leads to challenges in competitive pricing, as many unique products lack substitutes, making it difficult for companies to lower prices [8][12]. Group 3: Quality and Pricing Issues - TCM procurement faces difficulties in achieving complete coverage, competitive pricing, and quality evaluation due to the vast number of products and significant price discrepancies among similar products [11][12]. - For instance, the price of Chuanxinlian tablets varies significantly, with the lowest price at 0.072 yuan and the highest at 1.09 yuan, a difference of over 15 times [12]. - The article emphasizes the need for a comprehensive quality evaluation system for TCM, which includes production quality, clinical recognition, and safety monitoring to ensure consistent quality across different manufacturers [13].

Core Insights - The fourth batch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) centralized procurement is set to begin, following the successful conclusion of the 11th batch of national drug procurement at the end of October [1][4] - A notification regarding the procurement data for the fourth batch has been circulated, confirming the authenticity of the document, although the final version is still pending official release [4][5] - The procurement will involve 90 drugs across 28 procurement groups, primarily focusing on oral medications, with some injections and external medications included [4][5] Procurement Details - The procurement process will start with data submission from medical institutions by November 21, 2023, indicating a structured timeline for the upcoming procurement [4][5] - The list of drugs includes unique products such as Yindan Xinnao Tong soft capsules and Ginkgo biloba injections, as well as several OTC (over-the-counter) products [4][5][6] - Compared to previous batches, the number of procurement groups has increased, with the fourth batch involving more groups than the first and second batches, but similar to the third batch [5][6] Challenges in TCM Procurement - The complexity of TCM procurement includes difficulties in quality evaluation, pricing negotiations, and competition, which pose significant challenges [5][7] - The unique nature of TCM products, including many that have been recently launched, complicates the procurement process, as new drugs are not typically included in chemical drug procurement [5][6] - The high concentration of unique products in the TCM market leads to challenges in price negotiations, as many products lack substitutes, reducing the incentive for companies to lower prices [6][7] Quality Control Measures - A comprehensive quality evaluation system is proposed to ensure that selected TCM products meet safety and efficacy standards, addressing the lack of clear quality evaluation criteria [8][9] - The procurement process will implement strict quality control measures, including a "one-vote veto" system for products failing quality checks, and a more rigorous monitoring mechanism for selected drugs [8][9] - The ongoing optimization of procurement rules is expected to accelerate market reshuffling, encouraging companies to focus on product quality and efficacy rather than marketing [9]