BEIJING: The third batch of 55 state-organized centralized procurement drugs has landed in Beijing, with an average price reduction of more than 50 percent. Recently, these drugs cover chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, antipyretic and analgesic, digestive system, respiratory system and other common drugs, with an average price reduction of 53 percent, and with some reduced by 95 percent, according to the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau. For example, the original price of Letrozole tablets, which are used to treat breast cancer, is 9.11 yuan per tablet ($1.40). After the price reduction, the price is 2.86 yuan per tablet ($0.40). With a daily dosage of one tablet, the annual cost for each patient was about 3,000 yuan ($457), but is now reduced to about 1,000 yuan ($152). Moreover, the selected drugs are based on the consistent evaluation of the quality and efficacy of generic drugs. Relevant departments have vowed to ensure that the lower prices of the drugs will not affect their quality. According to the bureau, state-organized centralized drug procurement adopts the method of quantity procurement, quantity-price linkage and quantity-for-price to reduce prices and ease the burden of medical costs on patients through competitive procurement. – The Daily Mail-Global Times News exchange item
