Beyond the Price Cut: Utilization Trends of Anesthetic Drugs Before and After Centralized Procurement

Abstract Background China’s National Centralized Drug Procurement (NCDP) aims to lower drug costs and improve drug access. Beyond the price cut, the inclusion of anesthetics has raised concerns about potential impacts on clinical efficacy and safety, yet empirical evaluations remain limited. Objective To assess changes in anesthetic drug utilization following NCDP implementation, focusing on average dosage per procedure and the usage patterns. Methods A retrospective study using 2019–2025 prescription data from a tertiary hospital in eastern China. Four procured anesthetics and two drug regimens were analyzed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with anesthesiologists. Propensity score matching adjusted for patient characteristics. Interrupted time series analysis assessed dosage changes. Results Most anesthetics showed short-term changes in dosage and usage post-implementation but stabilized within a year. Dosage remained within clinically appropriate ranges, and no significant shifts were observed in regimens. Qualitative findings suggested adaptation in clinical practice without compromise to care quality. Conclusion The NCDP’s inclusion of anesthetic drugs led to temporary prescribing adjustments, followed by stable long-term use. From the perspective of dosage, no evidence indicated reduced efficacy of NCDP anesthetic drugs. Trial registration: Not applicable.