Regulators Rebut Concerns Drug Bulk-Buying Program Is Falling Short on Quality
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China’s national health insurance and medicine regulators have defended the quality of drugs procured through the country’s central bulk-buying program, rebutting claims from medical professionals earlier this year that some of the medications had been less effective than advertised.
The findings, released Sunday by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), came after doctors in Beijing and Shanghai — who are also members of local political consultative bodies — voiced concerns that the government’s cost-cutting measures might compromise overall drug quality.
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- China's health insurance and medicine regulators defend the quality of drugs from the bulk-buying program, dismissing claims of compromised efficacy as anecdotal.
- Investigations found no significant problems with medication efficacy, with adverse drug reactions within expected limits, attributed to effective procurement strategies.
- Authorities promise improved oversight and transparency in drug procurement and emphasize that cost reductions are achieved without compromising drug quality.
- January 21, 2025：
- The inquiry into the quality of drugs procured through China's central bulk-buying program was launched.
- February 9, 2025：
- The findings from the investigation by the NHSA and the NMPA were released.
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