China initiated its first cross-border pharmaceutical centralized procurement platform recently, aiming to expand access to quality medicines and strengthen healthcare ties with Southeast Asian nations.

The platform, launched on Jan 9 in the coastal city of Fangchenggang in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is seen as a major step in healthcare collaboration between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Under the guidance of China's National Healthcare Security Administration, the platform will manage the entire procurement process, from bulk buying to account settlement for medicines and medical supplies.

"China has been consistently promoting the centralized and volume-based procurement of medicines," Shi Zihai, deputy director of the NHSA, said at the launch ceremony. He noted that 10 rounds of national centralized purchasing have already been conducted, covering 435 types of medicines, including drugs for chronic diseases and cancer.

The initiative is designed to deepen cooperation with members of the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly ASEAN nations, offering new opportunities for collaboration in healthcare and enhancing the well-being of people in both regions, Shi said.

The platform also aims to accelerate the development of the International Medical Opening-up Pilot Zone (China) in Fangchenggang, established in 2019 near the China-Vietnam border. The zone focuses on medical innovation and international healthcare cooperation, particularly with ASEAN nations and members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Leveraging its proximity to ASEAN countries, Guangxi plans to transform the platform into a hub for information exchange, technology sharing, trade facilitation and talent development, said Liao Pinhu, vice-chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The platform will streamline the entry of Chinese medicines and medical supplies into ASEAN markets while exploring innovative methods for overseas drug purchases. It is expected to meet the needs of Guangxi residents seeking treatment outside their home province, insured individuals requiring real-time online medicine purchases and cross-border patients from ASEAN countries.

Experts and industry representatives from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and other ASEAN nations convened with Chinese representatives the same day for a seminar on China-ASEAN pharmaceutical procurement.