29-Jul-16 Chinese conglomerates Fosun and Alibaba are betting big on the country’s reforms of the healthcare system. But so far the country’s rigidly-regulated market is proving a more bitter pill to swallow than expected, say experts. Ali Health's plans took an early setback in Jun-16 when the government unexpectedly halted online drug sales by third-party platforms. [image: SMCP]

14-Jul-16 US multinational drug maker Pfizer is laying down a new foundation in Russia, with a JV to produce pharmaceuticals domestically. Pfizer’s announcement is a plus for Russian businesses, and for sentiment, insofar as it shows the country is still open to Western-backed multinationals. [image: Don Emmert / AFP / Getty Images]

10-Jul-16 In a medical power shift in Asia, China is catching up fast with Korea and even Japan. Although it is still unclear how much money China spends on medical R&D, the country now makes up 20% of the world's total R&D expenditures, second only after the US (27%), according to the 2016 Science & Engineering Indicators report. [image: Korea Times / Jung Min-ho]

05-Jul-16 India is making steady progress in the export of drugs around the world. India's Commerce & Industry Ministry said "India's pharmaceutical exports continued their lead over China in 2015." However, experts warn this trend will wane if Indian firms continue to depend on Chinese raw materials. [image: Pixabay]

07-Jul-16 China’s pharmaceutical system will struggle to cope with a rapidly aging population and increases in non-communicable diseases says a report by LSE Health and the State Council. The report identifies market fragmentation as a major challenge, with the top five manufacturers holding <15% market share, and finds R&D accounts for only 2% of sales, compared with 14-18% for MNC pharma companies. [image: LSE]