China’s healthcare regulator has strongly defended the quality of locally produced generic drugs, responding to recent concerns over their efficacy in public hospitals. In a statement published by the state-backed People’s Daily on Sunday, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) asserted that an investigation into the matter had found no evidence to support claims that generic medicines were less effective than their original counterparts.
The NHSA emphasized that all generic drugs approved for use in public hospitals undergo rigorous evaluations to ensure they meet the same standards of quality and efficacy as the branded medications. The agency also assured that these drugs are strictly monitored after approval.
The regulator launched the investigation last month following reports from local media, which cited doctors in Beijing and Shanghai questioning the effectiveness of generic drugs compared to those produced by Western pharmaceutical companies. Some healthcare professionals expressed concerns that cheaper alternatives, such as anaesthetics and laxatives, were not performing as expected.
In its response, the NHSA explained that it had consulted with relevant experts and the heads of seven hospitals. The investigation concluded that the negative perceptions about generic drugs stemmed from “subjective feelings,” rather than any objective evidence of inferior quality.
The controversy comes amid China’s ongoing efforts to reduce healthcare costs through its bulk-buy program, which was introduced in 2018. This initiative aims to negotiate lower drug prices by tendering large volumes of medicine from both domestic and international manufacturers. Since its launch, the program has expanded to various regions across the country, putting pressure on drug margins while encouraging many companies to supply public hospitals.
While the program includes off-patent medicines from Western pharmaceutical giants, local generic manufacturers also benefit from the tenders, offering a range of affordable alternatives.
Related topics
