Impact of Chinese national centralized volume-based drug procurement policy on health costs and utilization: An interrupted time series analysis using panel data (2009-2022).

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Chinese volume-based procurement (VBP) policy, implemented nationally in 2019, represents a cornerstone of healthcare reform aiming to reduce drug prices through centralized drug procurement. While existing studies have demonstrated the success of the VBP policy in lowering drug costs, comprehensive assessments of system-wide impacts on healthcare expenditures and service utilization remain underexplored. This study evaluates its effects on outpatient and inpatient service costs and volumes.

Materials and methods

We conducted an interrupted time series analysis using panel data (2009-2022) from the China Health Statistical Yearbook and the China Statistical Yearbook. Primary outcomes included CPI(Consumer Price Index)-adjusted per-visit outpatient(OP)/inpatient(

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12742737 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature