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
Japan’s pharmaceutical market is the second largest in the world – larger than that of France, Germany, and the UK combined. The total market size is between $50 and $55 billion. However, the market size, measured in dollars (or yen) is shrinking.... 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 U.S. companies’ relative success in the Japanese medical device and pharmaceuticals markets, over-regulation has continued to hamper U.S. cutting edge products’ access to Japan’s market. This hurts both U.S. manufacturers and Japanese citizens, who are denied access to innovative, cost-effective, life-saving... Read More
The pharmaceutical market in the Philippines is expected to grow 5% this year, to $294 million. Poverty and pollution both help to contribute to especially high incidences of diseases such as respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and diseases of the central nervous system.... 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
The popularity of foreign-made pharmaceuticals in China continues to rise, with imports and joint-venture products accounting for one-third of the Chinese pharmaceutical markets. In some areas of China, especially Guangdong province (which neighbors Hong Kong), foreign-made pharmaceuticals can account for as much... Read More
Singapore, a tiny city-state with a population of only 4 million, has one of the world’s strongest economies, with GDP per capita of US$28,000, similar to that of the United States. Singapore spends approximately US$2.5 billion per year on healthcare, for an... Read More
Despite Hong Kong’s reversion to China in 1997, under the terms of its return, Hong Kong is exempt from the rules and regulations outlined above for Chinese medical devices. Hong Kong does require general registration of imported medical devices, but there are... Read More