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].