China’s drug development charge

Chinese traditional medicine manufacturing

Source: © Yu Fangping/VCG/Getty Images

Reforms and state support have fuelled domestic and foreign investment in pharmaceutical

In 2015, the Chinese government introduced various reforms aimed at supercharging the country’s pharmaceutical innovation. Changes to regulatory approval processes, an increased focus on quality standards and support for innovation were designed to boost domestic companies and attract investment from foreign multinationals.

Those reforms have borne fruit over the last decade, with both domestic and international approvals of China-developed drugs increasing markedly.