Govt should ensure supply of life-saving drugs

A Chinese clerk adjusts medicines for sale on a shelf at a pharmacy in Hangzhou city, east China's Zhejiang province, 5 May 2015. [Photo/IC]

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

To overcome the shortage of inexpensive medicines, relevant departments should issue mandatory orders for their production and establish a national reserve for life-saving but inexpensive medicines. Earlier, supervising departments and officials paid more attention to taking action against manufacturers and sellers of counterfeit medicines and the unregulated pharmaceutical market. But the frequent shortage of inexpensive medicines, caused by profit-driven pharmaceutical companies, is now harming public health and a matter of serious concern.

xinhuanet.com, Sep 15

Relevant policies and measures should be introduced to guarantee the production of inexpensive but essential medicines; they could include designated production, bulk purchase by governments to ensure supply meets the demand of needy patients. Also, a classified management system for prescription medicines should be implemented in such a way that such medicines cannot be purchased over the counter. Watchdog organizations should include in their supervision mechanism the sales of inexpensive life-saving medicines in medical institutions and take measures to bring violators to book.

zjjzx.cn, Sep 14