Objective:The paper aims to provide recommendations for improving the essential medicines’ cen-tralized bidding procurement and quantity-based pricing policy. Methods: Based on the documents and literature on essential medicines’ centralized bidding procurement, we analyzed the factors which have a great impact on implemen-tation of the quantity-based pricing in essential medicines’ centralized procurement using the text research, semi-structured interview questionnaire and on-phone interviews. Results:The quantity-based pricing needs to define a ge-neric name and specific dosage form of drugs in the essential medicines’ centralized procurement. Its implementation was mainly influenced by the following factors:the procurement area accessibility, the pharmaceuticals category, dis-ease and drug alternative procurement methods and cycle, the payment and settlement time, and irregularities in the procurement process. Suggestions:During this implementation, we also need to clearly predict the quantity and pro-curement method, set up a proper policy environment for a quantity-based pricing, cancel the price linkage mecha-nism, strictly put into practice the payment deadline, employ a unique billing method and strengthen the information construction for the provincial centralized procurement platform. Some medicines’ quantity-based pricing should be carried out in the chosen pilots for laying a good foundation for its promotion.

Objective:To improve the centralized bidding procurement practice of essential medicine in China. Methods:By using literature review, comparative analysis and field investigation, implementation plans and regula-tions of the centralized bidding procurement of essential medicines in 30 provinces were collected and analyzed. Re-sults:There are differences in the operating organization, scope of implementation, purchasing cycle, bidding pro-curement mode, judgment criteria and other aspects among provinces. Conclusion: The progress of the implementa-tion of the centralized bidding procurement practice of essential medicine under the request of Document No. 56 of the State Council differed greatly among the provinces. The government should adhere to the centralized bidding procure-ment practice of essential medicine, give full play to the advantages of group purchasing, explore approaches of medi-cal insurance institutions participating in the centralized bidding procurement practice, and perfect the assessment of drug quality to assure the quality of essential medicine.