China’s State Council General Office recently released a statement declaring that locally produced generic drugs should have the same quality and efficacy as similar brand-name drugs. After conducting tests, China’s Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) will publicize the names of the medicines that passed the quality assessment. These drugs will then be included in a national insurance program. In addition, public hospitals will be ordered to prioritize these drugs during procurement. Chinese authorities hope that these new standards will elevate the country’s pharmaceutical industry and make it more globally competitive.
