China's 12th National Drug Bulk Procurement Round Successfully Purchases 65 Drugs
Claire Weston
China's 12th centralized drug procurement round opened bids in Shanghai, securing 65 medicines from 327 companies — the largest round to date, targeting the chronic and critical-illness drugs that patients rely on most.
What drugs does this round cover?
The list spans hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, oncology, anti-thrombotic, and anti-infection treatments — mostly chronic-disease staples and critical-illness essentials.
This means → the round targets drugs patients take long-term or for life, where even a modest price cut compounds into real savings.
A total of 45,000 medical institutions nationwide submitted volume commitments, extending coverage from major hospitals down to community clinics.
Why is it called the largest round ever?
65 medicines entered procurement; 521 products from 327 companies received provisional winning status.
In plain terms = more drugs on the list and more manufacturers competing means fiercer bidding — and steeper price cuts.
Since its founding, the National Healthcare Security Administration has run 12 rounds, bringing the cumulative total to 555 drugs. This reflects a shift from pilot programme to permanent policy.
What does this mean for patients?
The core mechanism is "volume for price" — institutions pledge purchase volumes, manufacturers bid lower to win, and the price drop flows directly to the patient's bill.
This means → patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol — those who buy these drugs month after month — are the most direct beneficiaries.
The provisional results will be formally published after a public notice period; there is still an implementation lag before cheaper drugs reach pharmacy shelves.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.