国内英语新闻:China to curb overpricing, overuse of expensive medical consumables

BEIJING, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government will address the problems of overpricing and overuse of expensive medical consumables through pricing and oversight reforms, according to a State Council scheme published Wednesday.

The reform measures will be directed at the medical consumables that are directly used on humans with high safety standards, in large volumes and at relatively high prices, according to the reform scheme.

The government aims to realize the quality, convenience and reasonably priced supply and orderly use of medical consumables so as to further reduce medical costs, the document said.

It will improve the pricing mechanisms of these medical consumables, including establishing a price monitoring network and purchase platform and connecting them to medical insurance schemes.

The government will try to regulate the practice of doctors and prevent unnecessary use of these consumables as well as step up supervision over suppliers and hospitals, according to the scheme.

The government will also encourage and support domestic suppliers of these medical consumables to sharpen their competitive edge.