In what many Western observers see as a misguided effort to contain rising healthcare costs, the State Development Planning Commission of China recently revived plans to institute price caps on the drug industry. The new regulations state that manufacturers may sell patented... Read More
Compared to the U.S. and many European countries, the biotechnology industry in Asia is embryonic. However, in recent years, several Asian countries have designated the expansion of biotechnology as crucial to their economic development. Some governments in Asia have thus begun taking... Read More
China’s recent accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will forever change the way foreign firms (and domestic ones) do business in China. Distribution services will be among the areas to first experience dramatic change, as foreign companies will be allowed to... Read More
The Asian market as whole is huge, comprising some 3.5 billion people -- 60% of the world total. Each country, though, has its own culture, business norms, and regulations, and companies investing in the region need to be aware of the differences.... Read More
China’s State Drug Administration (SDA), which replaced the State Pharmaceutical Administration of China (SPAC) in 1998, is responsible for supervising the research, production, distribution, and use of pharmaceutics, as well as conducting clinical drug research, monitoring adverse drug reactions, and registering new... Read More
The Chinese pharmaceutical market experienced approximately 12% growth in 2000 and has achieved similarly strong growth this year as well. However, despite this growth, price reductions have plagued the sector, cutting into profits. Driving this price reduction is a marked increase in... Read More
While obtaining approval for pharmaceuticals is a cumbersome process in almost any country, the procedure can seem exceptionally complex and sometimes unfathomable in China. Registration of a new imported drug can take anywhere from 8 months to 2 years or more. Furthermore,... Read More
The US Trade Development Agency (TDA) estimates that developing countries in Asia will spend over $6 billion on healthcare technology over the next five years. There are at least 25 large-scale healthcare technology projects either underway or on the drawing board in... Read More
Finding and qualifying distributors in China can be a tricky process. Historically, all medical device and pharmaceutical distribution in China was done via State owned distributor companies who covered most of China but were very bureaucratic and not very market oriented. Abut... Read More
Despite sluggish economies in some countries, Asia still represents future growth opportunities in healthcare products. Over the next 20 years, Asian healthcare markets are expected to grow at a rate two and a half times that of the West. A rising standard... Read More