(ZHAN YAN)

A consumer buys medicine at a drug store in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, on April 11.

A multi-departmental effort has been introduced to give the public better access to commonly used medications at a more reasonable price. A list of such drugs is expected to be publicized by June, and manufacturers will be entitled to the right of pricing according to production costs and the market situation.

The initiative comes in response to a series of shortages of commonly used and low-priced drugs. Under the new initiative, producers of the listed drugs will enjoy more freedom to price the medicine.