A rare wave of criticism is sweeping through China’s medical community as top doctors and health experts voice concerns about the quality of domestically produced drugs. The backlash comes as Beijing pushes a cost-cutting initiative that has significantly lowered drug prices but raised questions about effectiveness and safety.

One Shanghai surgeon highlighted cases where anesthetics failed to properly sedate patients, while a Beijing cardiologist pointed to blood pressure medications that didn’t work as intended. Even a former editor at a major health platform accused local drugmakers of fraudulent practices. These complaints, unusually public for a country where dissent is often stifled, have sparked a heated debate about the government’s approach to healthcare.

The controversy centers on a 2018 policy designed to reduce medical expenses by encouraging competition among drug manufacturers. While the program has successfully slashed prices, it has also led to a sharp decline in the availability of foreign-branded drugs in public hospitals. Many international pharmaceutical companies have pulled out, unwilling to match the rock-bottom prices offered by Chinese firms.

This year, foreign drugs were notably absent from the government’s list of medicines covered under national health insurance. Critics argue that the focus on affordability is coming at the expense of quality, leaving patients with fewer reliable options. The outcry highlights the challenges China faces as it tries to balance cost-cutting measures with the need to maintain a robust healthcare system, especially as the country’s aging population puts additional strain on resources.

The rare public dissent underscores growing frustration among medical professionals and raises questions about the long-term impact of Beijing’s cost-saving policies on patient care.