(ECNS) -- Digoxin tablets, a prescription drug for the treatment of hypertension and heart disease commonly used by Chinese patients, are ten times more expensive at local pharmacies and hospitals in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, than they were just months ago, hsw.cn reported Friday.
A local resident surnamed Yue said a bottle of Digoxin tablets (0.25 mg per tablet, 100 tablets per bottle) produced by a Shanghai-based company sold for 6.7 yuan ($1.08) a few months ago, but now it carries a price tag of 68 yuan.
"Should drug prices surge at such an outrageous rate following the relaxation of price controls on drugs from June 1?" Yue asked.
Fortunately, one bottle will last six months while the price hike would not hinder him, he told the paper. However, Yue was worried that other drugs might soon follow suit, as China starts lifting price caps from the beginning of this month.
Some local pharmacies have stopped replenishing their stocks of Digoxin tablets due to concerns that few patients would buy the drug after the price surge, the paper stated.
A doctor with a local hospital confirmed that the price of Digoxin tablets had risen from 8-plus yuan a bottle to 69 yuan, though the hospital had to continue to purchase the drug to meet patient needs.
A general sales agent of Digoxin tablets made by Shanghai Sine Pharmaceutical Co attributed the price hike to rising costs of raw materials imported from abroad, according to the report.
The source also told the paper the price surge occurred a few months ago, and not only on June 1.
