29-Feb-16 The Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO), which has set a foreign direct investment target of USD300 bn by 2020, is now wooing Indian pharmaceutical companies to maximize its conducive research-innovation ecosystem and advanced manufacturing infrastructure. To this end Japan has amended the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, drastically improving the approval process for medicine and medical devices. [image: JETRO]

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27-Feb-16 The CFDA has said it would prioritize the approval of drugs with clear clinical value, including those that use advanced technology or innovative methods. It added that certain categories of drugs would get priority, including those for children and the elderly, rare diseases, AIDS, malignant tumors and viral hepatitis. [image: Aly Song / Reuters]

21-Feb-16 Iran and Russia have inked three memoranda of understanding to boost medical cooperation, ranging from exchanging knowledge and technology to importing and exporting medications. Iranian pharma companies are eager to export their products to Russia and Russian officials are optimistic. [image: Tehran Times]

15-Feb-16 China plans to consolidate its huge and fragmented drug market and will support a greater role for traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). China is a major lure for drug firms targeting growth driven by rising incomes and a fast-ageing population. Beijing is keen, however, for local firms to take a larger slice of the market. [image: Reuters / Aly Song]