On August 5, the Chongqing Medical Security Bureau released the Notice on Carrying Out Historical Procurement Data and Procurement Demand Reporting for Ultrasonic Scalpel Tips and Central Venous Catheter Medical Consumables. Reporting will run from August 7 to August 18, signaling that the new round of province-led inter-provincial alliance volume-based procurement (VBP), led by Chongqing, has entered a critical stage.
Two product categories covered
This round covers two major groups of medical consumables. Ultrasonic scalpel tips include products under the first seven digits of the national medical insurance consumable codes C140301, C140302, and C140304. Central venous catheter consumables include central venous catheters (CVC) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC); midline catheters are also included in the procurement scope.
Reporting timeline for healthcare institutions
According to notices forwarded by the drug and medical device bidding and procurement centers of Shanxi and Sichuan provinces, all public medical institutions nationwide (including military hospitals) that use these consumables should participate. Institutions must report two types of data:
- Historical procurement data: for ultrasonic scalpel tips, actual procurement from January to June 2026; for central venous catheters, actual procurement from July 2025 to June 2026.
- Projected demand for the coming year: for central venous catheters, projected volume should generally be no less than 80% of total historical procurement.
Reporting is conducted through the Chongqing Drug and Medical Consumables Bidding and Procurement Management System. Institutions must complete submission by 17:00 on August 18, and upload a summary form signed and stamped by the responsible person in charge.
Ultrasonic scalpel tip VBP: a brief recap
Ultrasonic scalpel tips are among the most widely covered categories in China’s medical consumables VBP programs. In 2023, the Chongqing–Sichuan alliance conducted linked volume-based procurement for ultrasonic scalpel tips, with selected average prices falling to RMB 1,232—a 74% average reduction. In the 2024 Guangdong alliance follow-on procurement, selected products saw a further 12.18% price cut on top of the initial ~70% reduction from the first round.
As of today, 43 ultrasonic scalpel tip products are approved for sale in China, with domestic products accounting for 93.02%. Domestic brands already hold a dominant market share, and this procurement round is expected to further reinforce that trend.
High-barrier technologies gain differentiated opportunities
Notably, VBP rules are shifting from a pure low-price race toward value-based procurement. Technology-leading products capable of sealing vessels up to 7 mm and offering combined RF and ultrasonic dual-energy output hold differentiated advantages in clinical value and reimbursement flexibility, giving them greater negotiating room in this round of procurement.
Official reporting details: Chongqing procurement notice (ylqxzb.com)
