Remedies to reduce drug prices

China will launch a pilot program in March for pooled procurement of pharmaceuticals in 11 cities to bring about more affordable prices of key medicines and reduce financial burdens on patients, under a guideline published on Thursday.

The pilot program will be test marketed in the country's four municipalities - Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Tianjin - along with seven other urban areas, according to the guideline issued by the General Office of the State Council.

As part of the program, healthcare security authorities will conduct pooled procurement of drugs based on the amount required at public medical institutions in targeted regions. The total procurement amount stands at around 65 percent of the total amount of drugs required at such institutions in the regions, under the guideline.