The Chinese pharmaceutical market

Abstract

China has the most quickly expanding and developing economy in the world today. Many Swedish firms have already entered the Chinese market, each of whom have different expectations and results. Other companies, like Recip AB, are on their way to explore and expand world business to China.

Along with the economic reform, China is undergoing a healthcare system reform, which is highly relevant to the case company. A detailed introduction of the healthcare system and the ongoing reform will provide the company with sufficient information for future action in the Chinese healthcare market.

Pharmaceuticals are special products, which are usually highly regulated all over the world. The Chinese pharmaceutical market is conducting a restructuring to separate the function of administration and enterprise, and is anticipating a gigantic development in the near future. The co-operation between the USA, Europe and China will certainly help the Chinese pharmaceutical market to develop on the right track.

Fieldwork was conducted in China in May 1999, and was very fruitful. A market survey for Aminessâ was done at 20 hospitals in six Chinese cities. Many interviews with key persons at relevant government offices ensured the validity and reliability of the data collected and used in this paper.