China puts 33 drugs on 'group buying' list

BEIJING - Chinese authorities have released a list of 33 drugs for centralized procurement in large quantities by public healthcare institutions amid their steady efforts to reform the drug procurement system and make medicines more affordable to patients.

Among the 33 drugs are those for treating major chronic diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as tumors and rare diseases, according to centralized procurement documents released by a national office in charge of the matter.

According to plans, the bid opening will be held on Jan 17 and medicines that go through the centralized procurement process will be available at lower prices to patients at public hospitals across the country starting in April.

The group buying will be carried out simultaneously nationwide.