Although China is making efforts to improve piracy and counterfeit drug enforcement mechanisms, pharmaceutical companies must still be extremely careful in the Chinese market. In fact, currently several large US pharmaceutical companies are facing significant challenges dealing with counterfeit drugs in China.... Read More
For the most part, up until recently, only foreign medical companies that manufactured medical products in China could set up their own sales office and distribution scheme in China. However, after joining the WTO in December 2001, China agreed to open up... Read More
As of December 1, 2005, the China State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) began allowing the sale of drugs on the internet. The Interim Requirements for the Examination and Approval of Internet-based Pharmaceutical Trading Services, issued by the SFDA in October 2005,... Read More
The Chinese State Council enacted new regulations on the control of narcotic and psychotropic drugs (Chinese State Council Order No 442, August 3, 2005) that went into effect from November 1, 2005. These new regulations, which replace the pre-existing Narcotics and Psychotropics... Read More
China ’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) initiated a publicity campaign on October 15, 2005, to decrease false and illegal advertising of drugs, medical devices, and health foods. The campaign, entitled “Care for Life and Health: Say No to False Advertisements... Read More
The Chinese government has pledged to follow through on substantial drug price cuts announced earlier this year as part of a new OTC pricing reform. On October 10 th, prices of 400 medications (mostly antibiotics) will be cut by an average of... Read More
The Chinese Ministry of Health announced the implementation of a supervisory program to strengthen the monitoring and regulation of cosmetics hygiene, beginning in April 2005 and lasting until the end of the year. The provincial health administrations will supervise more closely the... Read More
As competition in the global medical device market intensifies, U.S. medical companies are increasingly seeking out ways to reduce costs in manufacturing, R&D, clinical trials and other medical services. Many Asian countries offer a lower cost of labor (China and India) and... Read More
China ’s State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has recently been making greater efforts to improve its pharmaceutical industry, including the protection and quality of drugs on the market in China. On March 2, 2005, the National Drug Registration Working Conference was... Read More
While both the U.S. and European over-the-counter (OTC) drug markets are mature, valued at approximately $30 billion and $24 billion respectively, it is Asia’s OTC market that is showing the fastest growth. Many countries in Asia are experiencing strong economic growth, and... Read More