On July 11, 2017, a three-day policy research meeting focusing on tuberculosis to improve the level of essential medicines was held in Chizhou, Anhui. The meeting was presided over by Director Zhou Lin of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (hereinafter referred to as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Leaders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Anhui, Hainan and other provinces and experts from a number of specialist hospitals attended the meeting. Shenyang Hongqi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Many well-known companies, including Hongqi Pharmaceutical for short, were also invited to participate.
Director Zhou first introduced the current status of tuberculosis in China, drug supply and procurement, and existing problems, and explained the latest WHO treatment guidelines, multi-drug-resistant treatment plans and domestic drug shortages. Then they discussed how to ensure the quality of domestic drugs, insufficient drug supply, price increases, domestic new drug research and development, registration bottlenecks, how to regulate the use of anti-tuberculosis drugs, and the current bidding and procurement issues.
The discussion at the meeting was very enthusiastic, and the leaders of the provincial CDC gave an understanding of the current drug price increase. Only by ensuring that the production enterprises are profitable can supply and product quality be guaranteed. Regarding environmental protection pressure, GMP certification, consistency evaluation, various increase in production costs, and part of the bidding pressure, the cost of medicines has risen, and it is hoped that the state can increase its investment in procurement funds for various provinces. Various manufacturers gave many opinions and suggestions on product quality, drug guarantee, new drug research and development, and price factors. New anti-tuberculosis drugs have a long R&D cycle, high cost, and long payback period. In view of the current lack of drugs for second-line treatment of multidrug resistance, outstanding domestic companies have been committed to the development of new drugs. At present, three new drugs have been approved for clinical use, and Bedaquiline has been approved. Dramani will soon be listed on the domestic market.
Xu Zhiming, general manager of the Government Procurement Department of Hongqi Pharmaceutical, made a speech. Hongqi Pharmaceutical has been committed to the research and development and promotion of anti-tuberculosis drugs for many years, and has made certain contributions to the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in China. At present, the price of raw materials has risen too fast, which has caused the prices of preparations to continue to rise. It is recommended that the provincial defense stations communicate with manufacturers in a timely manner, simplify the bidding procedures, and request goods in time after the contract is signed. Zhao Weilian, director of the marketing department of Hongqi Pharmaceuticals, made a report on Hongqi's product market assurance, product quality, price, new product introduction and research and development, and public welfare.
Lin expert representative of the specialist hospital believes that there is currently a misunderstanding in China that the cheaper the product is, the more the bid will be won. In fact, in future bidding, the cheaper the better, the price must be reasonable.
Finally, Director Zhou Lin summarized everyone's discussion, and said that he would report to the leaders of the National Health and Family Planning Commission in a timely manner, and feedback everyone's opinions and suggestions in a timely manner.
