China opens public hospitals for Dr Reddy's Laboratories generic drugs

First Indian firm to get contract for supplying generic schizophrenia drug to public hospitals there

Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) is the first Indian company to get approval for supplying generic drugs to China's public hospitals. 

It was among three bidders, the other two being Chinese companies. The drug that it would supply is called Olanzapine, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This is part of a plan by China's government for a nationwide experiment to change their drug procurement policy, to cut the cost of generic medicines. The trial began last December, in 11 cities, with drug makers asked to bid for supply of 25 common generic drugs to hospitals. 

Dr Reddy's had not responded