China mulls drug approval reforms to incentivize researchers

China's top legislature on Friday considered changes to the drug examination and approval process aimed at promoting pharmaceutical innovation and quality by better incentivizing researchers.

"Struggling to meet public demand for medication, China's drug approval system does not suit the development of the drug-making industry," said Bi Jingquan, head of the China Food and Drug Administration, while briefing lawmakers at the opening of the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

"The quality of some generic drugs lags far behind their international counterparts," a problem which reforming the drug approval system could address, Bi said.

Under the proposals, drug research and development agencies and researchers can directly apply for drug approvals. Previously, only drug manufacturers could apply for approvals, and drug researchers were required to transfer their achievements to the producers.

Bi said researchers have long been put at a disadvantage and cannot obtain full proceeds after the medication hits the market, giving them little incentive to come up with new products.

The reform aims to narrow the gap of pharmaceutical development between China and developed countries and promote China-made generic drugs in the global market. Endi