China says to implement drug distribution reforms

China said on Saturday it would implement drug distribution reforms including centralization measures designed to cut prices and reduce corruption. The State Council, China’s cabinet, said it urged drug manufacturers to negotiate directly with hospitals on payment for pharmaceuticals instead of going through middle men. Authorities should also work to ensure the distribution of drugs to remote rural areas with underdeveloped modes of transportation in a timely fashion, the State Council said on its website. Authorities should push forward centralization and standardization measures in an effort to weed out corruption and lower prices, it added.
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