In the past decade, lowering drug prices has been the main theme of drug price management, and the supply of commonly used low-priced drugs is insufficient or even discontinued from time to time.

Below is the difference between low-priced drugs and basic drugs that I have compiled for you. I hope it will be helpful to you!

The difference between low-priced drugs and basic drugs 1.1 Drugs are globally recognized special commodities. Countries around the world have stricter management of drugs than general commodities.

In order to facilitate management, drugs are usually divided into different categories according to different standards, such as patented drugs and generic drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, etc.

In the practice of drug price management in my country, the National Development and Reform Commission classifies drugs into low-priced and non-low-priced drugs based on the average daily cost.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission's "Notice on Issues Concerning Improving the Price Management of Low-priced Drugs" ***Fagai Price [2014] No. 856***, it can be seen that the current average daily cost standard for low-priced medicines is: no more than 3 yuan for Western medicines, and no more than 3 yuan for Chinese medicines.

The price of patent medicines does not exceed 5 yuan.

Based on this, before the pricing or maximum retail price limit for most drugs has been canceled, the National Development and Reform Commission took the lead in canceling the maximum retail price limit for low-priced drugs, allowing manufacturers and operators to adjust the price within the average daily cost standard based on the production cost and the price of the drug.

Specific purchase and sale prices are determined based on market supply, demand and competition conditions.

In addition, there are relevant documents that propose mobilizing the enthusiasm of medical institutions and medical personnel to actively save costs and prioritize the use of low-priced drugs, so as to promote the clinical use of low-priced drugs.

1.2 Essential Medicines System: Concept and Framework The WHO Essential Medicines List has been widely recognized since its birth 30 years ago.

Among the 193 WHO member states, 156 have formulated essential medicines lists, and some have also established provincial or state-level essential medicines lists.

Many international organizations, such as the United Nations Children's Fund and non-government organizations, have adopted the concept of essential medicines. Professional organizations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Crescent, the British Pharmaceutical Society, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation have also adopted the concept of essential medicines based on WHO's guidelines.

The Essential Drug List plays an important guiding role in drug procurement and supply, medical insurance reimbursement, drug donation and production.

In 2002, there was a huge development in the concept of essential medicines. Essential medicines are "selected based on the current status of public health, effectiveness and safety, and based on evidence of cost-effectiveness comparisons that can meet people's basic health needs."

Medicines. Sufficient quantities and appropriate dosage forms are available at all times at prices that are affordable to individuals and communities. This concept emphasizes the evidence-based principle in the selection process of essential medicines and makes the selection process more transparent and affordable.

Fair and scientific.

At the same time, in order to describe essential drugs more accurately, WHO changed the term “essential drugs” to “essential medicines”.

The highest goal of drug use is rational use of drugs.

As early as the 20th century, the World Health Organization (WHO) gave an easy-to-understand definition of rational drug use—the safe, effective, economical, and appropriate use of drugs.

It can be seen that rational drug use includes four key elements: safety, effectiveness, economy, and appropriateness, all of which are indispensable.

At the same time, reasonableness is a dynamic concept, and the connotations and requirements of the four elements of safety, effectiveness, economy, and appropriateness change with the advancement of medical technology.

Among the four key elements, the connotation of economy has been ignored, misunderstood, or not widely understood correctly for a long time.

Economics refers to the ratio of the drug effect obtained to the cost invested. The focus of economics is the total cost***expense***and the total result, rather than simply the price of the drug.

Drug prices are closely related to drug fees or costs, but low drug prices do not mean low drug fees or costs, and conversely, high drug prices do not necessarily mean high drug fees or costs.

It can be seen that simply low-priced drugs are not destined to be economical.

The essential difference between low-priced drugs and non-low-priced drugs is “low price.” Therefore, low-priced drugs are not destined to be the most scientific and reasonable clinical drugs of choice.

Low-priced drugs have become the first choice for clinical use. Under what circumstances are low-priced drugs the most scientific and reasonable first-choice clinical drug? From the perspective of the factors of rational drug use, there are usually two situations: First, compared with other alternative drugs, safety,

The effectiveness and appropriateness are equal, and the cost ***cost*** of using low-priced drugs is lower than the cost***cost*** of using other alternative drugs. At this time, the economics of using low-priced drugs are better than using

The economics of other alternative drugs, that is, low-priced drugs should be the first choice for clinical use; the second is the safety, effectiveness, and appropriateness of using one or more of other alternative drugs compared with other alternative drugs.

It is better than low-priced drugs, but its cost***cost*** is higher than the cost***cost*** of using low-priced drugs. At this time, if other alternative drugs are used, the additional cost or expenditure*

**Cost*** is not worth it compared with the advantages of safety, effectiveness, and appropriateness. Therefore, low-priced drugs are more economical than other alternative drugs and should be the first choice for clinical use.

However, if the additional cost or expense of using the alternative medicine is worth the ***cost***, then the economics of a lower-priced medicine are inferior to those of the alternative medicine.