BEIJING - Prices for 400 drugs will be reduced by an average of 15 percent starting from Feb 1, price regulators announced Tuesday.

The National Development and Reform Commission said it will cap the retail prices of 20 categories of drugs used to treat respiratory illnesses, pains and fever.

Prices for medications used to treat cancer, blood diseases and illnesses related to the nervous system have been cut since 2011, according to the commission.

The prices of some inexpensive drugs have been allowed to rise to ensure sufficient supplies, the commission said.

The commission said it also has plans to adjust the prices of some types of Chinese herbal medicine.