A hard pill to swallow

June 06, 2009 | BY

clpstaff &clp articles

China's policy on essential medicines will be overhauled as part of wide-ranging healthcare reforms. This may lead to the demise of many local pharmaceutical companies but opportunities in traditional Chinese medicine

One of the main aims of the State Council's March 18 Action Plan is to revamp the nationwide policy on so-called essential medicines (EMs). Specifically, the Scheme provides clarification on the procurement and pricing of EMs, among other things.

    Essential medicines are defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as follows:


Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population. Essential Medicines are selected with due regard to disease prevalence, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. Essential Medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality, and at a price the individual and the community can afford.

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