Guangdong Province’s Drug Exchange Center has issued a notice outlining the implementation details of the centralized volume-based procurement initiative for medications such as Apixaban tablets. This policy, effective from April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, aims to streamline drug procurement processes, enhance supply chain stability, and ensure quality assurance across healthcare institutions.
Key Policy Measures
- Tripartite Contract Signing
- Process: Medical institutions must use CA certificates to log into Guangdong’s tender and procurement subsystem to initiate tripartite contracts. Detailed operational guidance is available on the official website.
- Timeline: Contracts must be completed promptly after initiation by medical institutions, with drug manufacturers and distributors required to log in and finalize agreements without delay.
- Quality and Supply Responsibility
- Accountability: Drug manufacturers are designated as the primary responsible parties for ensuring the quality and timely delivery of medications. They must guarantee coverage of all participating healthcare institutions across the province.
- Compliance: Selected manufacturers must adhere to agreed-upon procurement volumes and ensure uninterrupted supply chains.
- Procurement Volume Negotiation
- Flexibility: For designated social healthcare institutions, procurement volumes will be determined through negotiations between supply and demand parties, allowing for tailored agreements.
Policy Orientation and Industry Implications
This initiative reflects Guangdong’s strategic focus on:
- Cost Efficiency: Reducing drug prices through centralized procurement while maintaining quality standards.
- Supply Chain Integrity: Ensuring uninterrupted medication supply to healthcare facilities across the province.
- Transparency: Promoting clear contractual agreements and accountability mechanisms.
Conclusion
Guangdong’s volume-based procurement framework sets a benchmark for regional drug management, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and accessibility. Stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers, should align their operations with these guidelines to optimize compliance and patient outcomes.-China Health Reform Pulse
Policy Source: https://www.gdmede.com.cn/announcement/announcement/detail?id=1906642648857317376