Starting July 1st, residents of Beijing who hold individual medical insurance can now purchase non-prescription drugs through designated pharmacies on e-commerce platforms such as Meituan and JD.com, announced Beijing’s medical insurance bureau.
This initiative, following similar moves in Shanghai and Shenzhen, allows consumers to utilize their personal medical insurance accounts for online purchases, though delivery and packaging fees remain separate, as reported by Yicai Global. The primary aim is to alleviate the financial burden of medication costs, amidst efforts by the National Healthcare Security Administration to regulate pharmacy pricing and overall drug expenditure. Online platforms additionally facilitate price comparisons for consumers.
Industry projections suggest that between CNY 50 billion ($6.8 billion) and CNY 60 billion worth of drugs could transition through the online-to-offline model this year. This figure is anticipated to increase significantly, potentially reaching CNY 240 billion upon full implementation of the scheme.
Currently, online-to-offline sales account for about 10% of total medicine transactions, a figure expected to rise to 50% as the program expands nationwide.
