Govt should ensure supply of life-saving drugs

A recent investigation has revealed the life-saving medicine to treat infantile spasms costing about 7.8 yuan ($1.23) per box is difficult to find in hospitals but sold in the black market for as much as thousands of yuan. Comments:

The ills of price setting, distribution and the medical system are mainly responsible for the shortage of inexpensive, life-saving medicines. Because of the price control mechanism for medicines, pharmaceutical companies may not make enough profit, or even lose money, by making such medicines. Free market competition is likely to help keep medicine prices at a reasonable level and do away with long-term shortages. The government, on its part, could subsidize such pharmaceutical companies to ensure its stocks meet the demands of a certain number of patients.

Wenhui Daily, Sep 15