Today, places all over China will officially implement the adjusted retail prices of medicines. Compared with the current government regulated retail guidance prices, this time the prices of about 45% varieties have been appropriately reduced, with an average decline of around 12%. The prices of approximately 49% varieties remain unchanged and will continue to be implemented at the current prices; In addition, the prices of about 6% varieties have been appropriately increased. (October 22, China News Service)
As is well known, the inability to afford medicine, medical treatment, and the fear of falling ill have become the three major fears of ordinary people. In recent years, the government has made a lot of efforts and taken many measures, such as implementing maximum price caps on some medicines and centralized bidding procurement, yet drug prices still remain stubbornly high. Many netizens are complaining: "You have to spend hundreds of yuan for just a common cold. Drug prices nowadays are really too expensive..."