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China Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Q4 2006Published by: Business Monitor International Published: Jan. 1, 2007 - 79 Pages Table of Contents
AbstractThe long-term potential of the Chinese pharmaceutical market is huge, given its large population, healthcare system modernisation and economic development. At present, prescription drugs account for just under 80% of the total market, although over-the-counter (OTC) products are slowly making inroads. At two-thirds of the market by value, generics will continue to dwarf the branded sector, although lax intellectual property (IP) regime will continue to promote the production and use of unauthorised copy drugs. China is both a large importer and exporter of medicines, especially of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), with both segments set to grow rapidly over the coming years. BMI expects the pharmaceutical market to grow 13% in 2006, with sales exceeding US$46.6bn by 2010. OTCs are likely to be the fastest growing segment, almost tripling in 2010 from US$5.2bn in 2005. In terms of prescription medicines, demographic changes will particularly boost the use of novel drugs for cardiovascular, neurological, cancer and antiviral indications that are not treated effectively by currently available therapies, as well as new versions of existing prescription antihistamines, analgesics, anti-fungal agents, cholesterol reducers and acid reducers. Ethical drugs will benefit from the expansion of the retail channels, which are presently largely limited to hospitals. In regional terms, China will continue to outperform a number of its neighbours, but remain behind Asia's largest market, Japan. Its ongoing industrial development, improving political openness and infrastructural modifications will serve to environment may, however, should hinder pharmaceutical sector growth over the coming years. BMI's revised Business Environment Rankings for Asia place China fifth out of the 14 major markets. The Chinese government continues to cut the price of drugs, with cancer products affected most recently. Additionally, the authorities are considering introducing price caps for all prescription drugs in the near future, which would have a negative impact on pharmaceutical revenues across the board. On the positive side, however, in a milestone ruling, the state legislature recently upheld a patent for Pfizer's erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, overturning a previous decision by patent office SIPO. While the volume of fake drugs continues to be problematic, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese armaceutical sector will grow, following gradual legal and pricing regime improvements. Get Full Details About This Report >> |
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