The rising Chinese pharmaceutical industry: local champions vs global players

Francesca Spigarelli () and Hao Way
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Francesca Spigarelli: Università degli Studi di Macerata
Hao Way: Beijing Normal University

No 1206, Working Papers from c.MET-05 - Centro Interuniversitario di Economia Applicata alle Politiche per L'industria, lo Sviluppo locale e l'Internazionalizzazione

Abstract: This paper is an exploratory study on main features and challenges of the Chinese pharmaceutical market. Dramatic changes in the market are due both to the Government policies, changing consumer habits and behaviour, and to the growing competition at firm level. From a demand side perspective, consumptions of pharmaceutical products are booming thanks to a combined effect of economic growth, aging population, urbanization and health system reforms. Key forces shaping the demand are examined in the chapter, with a specific attention to health care reforms as well as to new habits and confidence of Chinese people towards the Western medicine. In this regard, import and export trends, consumption, and expected evolution of the market are examined. From a supply side perspective, two main trends can be highlighted: the increasing interest of foreign investors, and the effort of Chinese pharmaceutical firms to compete in the national market. To better understand the ongoing changes we look at market characteristics, key players, as well as trends and motivation of inward FDI to China are examined. On the basis of this general picture, the paper focuses on IP related aspects, to understand who are the main actors of patenting trends (foreign vs local firms) and for which kind of products patents are registered (raw materials vs basic products vs drugs). Analyzing patent trends and the role of Chinese vs Western firms, we try to define how China is taking its role and position into the national and – potentially - international pharmaceutical market.

Keywords: China; pharmaceutical industry; patents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F23 L65 O34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 19 pages
Date: 2012-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-com, nep-ino, nep-ipr, nep-pr~ and nep-tra
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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