A multidepartment effort has been introduced to give the public better access to commonly used medications at a relatively low price.

Eight government departments, including the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, the China Food and Drug Administration, and the Ministry of Finance, have issued a notice on securing a supply of commonly used low-price drugs.

Zheng Hong, the NHFPC's drug administration chief, said: "A list of such drugs is expected to be publicized by June, and the producers of the drugs will be entitled to the right of pricing according to production costs and the market situation."