China Announces New Moves to Boost Generics

The Chinese government unveiled a new policy whereby some generics manufacturers could qualify for a “high-tech enterprise” designation, making them subject to a 15 percent corporate tax rate compared to the 25 percent rate paid by other companies.

The new policy would forbid doctors to write brand names on prescriptions except in extenuating circumstances, and pharmacists would still have the option to switch to a generic.

The policy also would impose stricter standards for the materials used in generic drug manufacturing and, for the first time, require public insurers to cover generic drugs under the same standards as their brand-name counterparts.