Executives call for pharmaceutical reform

China should cancel the government-led bidding system on medicine purchased by public hospitals to reduce drug costs, said a group of Chinese pharmaceutical business executives on Monday.

The executives, who are also deputies of the National People's Congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also suggested getting rid of the special treatment for foreign drug makers' pharmaceuticals whose patents had expired.

A proposal from more than 20 NPC deputies and CPPCC members urged the government to cancel the current bidding system, which is led by the provincial governments.