Ministry of Health, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Supervision, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, Ministry of Commerce, State Food and Drug Administration, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Measures for the Administration of State Essential Pharmaceuticals Lists (Tentative)

Except for pharmaceuticals that are used for first aid and emergency, all products solely manufactured by one company shall undergo separate discussion before they are included in the Lists (Article 5). The following pharmaceuticals shall not fall under the scope of selection for the Catalogue:

(1) medicinal materials that contain state endangered wild flora and fauna resources;

(2) pharmaceuticals that are used mainly for nourishment and health and are prone to abuse;

(3) pharmaceuticals that are not the first choice for clinical treatment;

(4) pharmaceuticals whose production, sale and use are clearly stipulated by the state food and drug regulatory department to be suspended due to the strong adverse reactions they cause; and

(5) pharmaceuticals that violate state laws or regulations or that fail to satisfy ethics requirements (Article 6).

Related legislation: Opinion on Intensifying the Reform of the Pharmaceutical and Health System, Mar 17 2009; and Circular on the Issuance of Recent Major Implementing Plans for the Reform of the Pharmaceutical and Health System (2009 - 2011), Mar 18 2009