Quantitative evaluation and obstacle factor diagnosis of drug regulatory capacity in China

TL;DR

This study evaluates drug regulatory capacity in China, identifies regional differences, and suggests ways to improve regulatory effectiveness.

Contribution

A novel quantitative evaluation system and obstacle factor diagnosis model for drug regulatory capacity in China.

Findings

Regional differences in drug regulatory capacity exist, with significant variance in resource acquisition and comprehensive indicators.

Learning development and functional performance are the main obstacle factors affecting regulatory capacity.

Dynamic development shows improvement in most regions except for performance level in 2022.

Abstract

To quantitatively evaluate the drug regulatory capacity in China, aiming to optimize the drug regulatory system, precisely enhance local regulatory effectiveness, and reduce regional regulatory disparities.

Using the methods of literature research, expert interviews, investigation and analysis, the quantitative evaluation indicator system of supervision ability was established in all directions; the indicator data were collected and quantified; the indicator weight setting algorithm of the evaluation system was improved and the indicator weight was set by combining AHP and entropy method; the differences among eastern, central, and western provincial-level regions were analyzed by variance analysis; panel data were constructed for spatio-temporal evolution analysis; obstacle factor diagnosis model was used to analyze the obstacle factors.

The quantitative indicator system was constructed from five aspects: resource acquisition, function performance, learning and development, performance level and Internet application,and the relevant indicators of pharmacovigilance and risk response were analyzed at the national macro level. From the analysis of horizontal comparative variance, the comprehensive indicator and resource acquisition indicator of various provincial-level regions were significantly different(P < 0.05), while others were not significant. From the perspective of dynamic development, except for the performance level in 2022, all provincial-level regions were generally on the rise. From the perspective of obstacle factors, they were mainly in the aspects of learning development and functional performance. Regarding national pharmacovigilance and risk response, despite the synergistic development of all links ensuring drug safety and promoting industrial progress, new issues and challenges demand continuous attention and optimization of the regulatory system.

There are regional differences in drug regulation in China. A drug regulation capacity improvement plan should be formulated in combination with the characteristics of the city itself and obstacle factors to achieve efficient and balanced development of drug regulation.

Figures