Top Biz News

China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-17 11:28
Large Medium Small

NEW YORK - Sales of prescription drugs in emerging markets will grow rapidly over the next few years, pharmaceutical market research firm IMS Health says, with China becoming the world's third-largest prescription drug market in 2011.

Related readings:
China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011 Medical care worries residents most
China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011 Pfizer sees strong growth in China
China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011 Novartis China aims at 1b yuan in OTC drug sales by 2014
China to be 3rd largest pharma market in 2011 
Roche diagnostic sales may rise 20% in Asia on China

IMS says pharmaceutical revenue in China is growing at a great pace, and the market there could double by 2013 as the country improves its health care infrastructure and aims for near-universal health coverage. The firm says drug revenue there will grow by $40 billion through 2013.

IMS says growth in China has come even more quickly than it expected. In 2006, it predicted China would be the world's sixth-largest pharmaceutical market by 2011. The two largest markets are the US and Japan.