Guangxi Medical Insurance Bureau Delegation Visits Laos ASEAN Pharmaceutical to Explore New Paths for China-ASEAN Centralized Drug Procurement Cooperation

Deepening Production Cooperation: Witnessing High-Standard Integration of China-Laos Pharmaceutical Industries

The delegation’s first stop was a visit to ASEAN Pharmaceutical’s modern production facilities, where they gained in-depth insight into its quality management system strictly adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). As one of Laos’ largest generic drug manufacturers, ASEAN Pharmaceutical has over 50 approved drugs in areas such as oncology, chronic diseases, and rare diseases. Its targeted therapies have already benefited tens of thousands of Chinese patients through the Belt and Road Initiative’s international healthcare cooperation platform. Leaders of the Guangxi Medical Insurance Bureau expressed high appreciation for ASEAN Pharmaceutical’s standardized production processes and its contributions to regional public health, emphasizing that “balancing quality and accessibility” is the cornerstone of pharmaceutical collaboration.

Collaborating on Centralized Procurement: Exploring New Models for Cross-Border Pharmaceutical Trade

During the symposium, both parties focused on discussing the application prospects of the China-ASEAN Regional Pharmaceutical Trading (Centralized Procurement) Platform. The Guangxi Medical Insurance Bureau highlighted that the platform, as the first cross-border centralized procurement hub under the guidance of China’s National Healthcare Security Administration, aims to reduce drug costs through a volume-based pricing mechanism, promote the entry of high-quality Chinese medicines into the ASEAN market, and encourage ASEAN pharmaceutical companies to participate in China’s centralized procurement. Somphone Boumachanh expressed that ASEAN Pharmaceutical will actively study the platform’s rules, promote the submission of drug applications that meet Chinese standards, and proposed the establishment of a green channel for mutual recognition of drug reviews between China and Laos to shorten the cross-border circulation cycle. Additionally, both sides exchanged views on practical issues such as how Southeast Asian pharmaceutical companies can adapt to China’s centralized procurement policies, data interoperability, and cross-border settlement.

Collaborating on Centralized Procurement: Exploring New Models for Cross-Border Pharmaceutical Trade

During the symposium, both parties focused on discussing the application prospects of the China-ASEAN Regional Pharmaceutical Trading (Centralized Procurement) Platform. The Guangxi Medical Insurance Bureau highlighted that the platform, as the first cross-border centralized procurement hub under the guidance of China’s National Healthcare Security Administration, aims to reduce drug costs through a volume-based pricing mechanism, promote the entry of high-quality Chinese medicines into the ASEAN market, and encourage ASEAN pharmaceutical companies to participate in China’s centralized procurement. Somphone Boumachanh expressed that ASEAN Pharmaceutical will actively study the platform’s rules, promote the submission of drug applications that meet Chinese standards, and proposed the establishment of a green channel for mutual recognition of drug reviews between China and Laos to shorten the cross-border circulation cycle. Additionally, both sides exchanged views on practical issues such as how Southeast Asian pharmaceutical companies can adapt to China’s centralized procurement policies, data interoperability, and cross-border settlement.

Looking Ahead: Building a Win-Win Ecosystem for the "Pharmaceutical Silk Road"This visit marks the upgrade of China-Laos pharmaceutical cooperation from single trade to institutional coordination.

The Guangxi Medical Insurance Bureau put forward three initiatives:

Platform Co-construction: Promote the entry of pharmaceutical companies such as ASEAN Pharma into the China-ASEAN centralized procurement platform to achieve drug listing and price linkage.

Policy Interconnectivity: Jointly study the medical insurance payment standards in Southeast Asian countries and explore mutual recognition of the China-Laos drug lists.

Livelihood Collaboration: Initiate cross-border telemedicine and direct drug supply pilots focusing on diseases such as thalassemia and cancer.

Soma Bounthasay responded that ASEAN Pharma will accelerate the layout of production capacity that meets China’s centralized procurement demands. By leveraging the bonded logistics advantages of the Fangchenggang Pilot Zone, the company aims to build a pharmaceutical storage hub面向ASEAN, contributing to the construction of the "Health Silk Road."

This visit not only signifies a deep对接of the China-Laos pharmaceutical industry but also provides a key case for the international practice of the China-ASEAN centralized pharmaceutical procurement platform. With the deepening of regional pharmaceutical rule interoperability and technology sharing, Southeast Asian pharmaceutical companies, represented by ASEAN Pharma, are expected to become important participants in China’s pharmaceutical ecosystem, jointly forging a new chapter in medical cooperation under the "Belt and Road" initiative.