China to Increase Price of Medical Services   

On November 23rd, China's three top governmental departments - the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly issued an official document relating to the reform of the pricing system for drugs and medical services. This document is one of the 23 new healthcare reform documents to be issued.
   The document stated that the government will reduce the margin of drugs supplied by hospitals and other medical service organizations while increase the price of medical services and consultations. The checking fee using large scale medical equipment and the curing cost will be cut largely.
   Owing to the insufficient supports from the government, hospitals usually rely on selling drugs and checking diseases to pay doctor salary.
   The document stated that a perfect, rational and scientific drug pricing system is expected to be completed in 2020, which will eco well the cost changes of drugs production and the balance between supply and demand.
   The document regulated that the government will decide prices of the drugs that are included in the national essential medicine list and the special drugs that is easily in monopoly. The market decides prices of other medicines.