China has launched its first-ever cross-border pharmaceutical centralized procurement platform, aimed at increasing access to quality medicines and fostering deeper healthcare cooperation with Southeast Asian nations.
The platform, unveiled on January 9 in Fangchenggang, a coastal city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, marks a significant development in China’s healthcare collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It aims to streamline the procurement of medicines and medical supplies, from bulk purchasing to payment settlement, under the guidance of China’s National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA).
At the launch event, Shi Zihai, deputy director of the NHSA, emphasized that China has been promoting the centralized procurement model for medicines, having already conducted 10 rounds of national centralized purchasing covering 435 types of medicines, including treatments for chronic diseases and cancer.
“This initiative is a major step in enhancing cooperation with ASEAN nations as part of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Shi. “It provides new opportunities for collaboration in healthcare, ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of people in both regions.”
The platform is also expected to accelerate the development of the International Medical Opening-up Pilot Zone (China) in Fangchenggang, which was established in 2019 to promote medical innovation and international healthcare cooperation, particularly with ASEAN countries and members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Liao Pinhu, vice-chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighted that Guangxi’s strategic location near ASEAN nations positions the platform as a key hub for information exchange, technology sharing, trade facilitation, and talent development.
The platform will play a pivotal role in facilitating the entry of Chinese medicines and medical supplies into ASEAN markets while exploring innovative approaches for overseas drug purchases. It aims to meet the needs of Guangxi residents seeking medical treatment outside their home province, individuals requiring real-time online medicine purchases, and cross-border patients from ASEAN countries.
On the same day as the platform’s launch, experts and industry representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and other ASEAN countries gathered with Chinese counterparts for a seminar on China-ASEAN pharmaceutical procurement, further solidifying the growing healthcare collaboration between China and Southeast Asia.
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