Biosimilar centralized procurement: extreme price cuts unlikely

Circulated draft rules for biosimilar centralized procurement. According to Chinese media reports on 21 Sept, draft rules for biosimilar centralized procurement (led by Anhui for the inter-provincial alliance) have circulated within the industry. Initially proposed in 2025, this procurement round remained dormant until 2026. The scope covers seven biosimilars: adalimumab, bevacizumab, denosumab, rituximab, trastuzumab, tocilizumab, and infliximab, whilst pertuzumab has been removed from the list. This round of centralized procurement is designed to exclude novel drugs. Specifically, the inclusion rules require that: (1) at least five manufacturers exist for the reference drug and its biosimilars combined; (2) at least three years have passed since the first biosimilar was approved; (3) the annual procurement value exceeds Rmb300m;