The
Market:
Currently
sizeable business opportunities are emerging in China's Healthcare
Sector. Shifting demographics, its one-child policy, an aging
population and growing living standards have brought new pressures
to bear on the social security system, which is to undergo fundamental
reform. Some USD 85 billion will be spent solely on healthcare
programs over the next 5 years.
Therapeutic
areas like respiratory & cardiovascular diseases, as well
HIV / AIDS are major concerns. Primary healthcare, which is almost
non-existent, is a potential growth area. China proposes to create
a second level of privately owned healthcare sector which will
be funded by insurance and private investment and also develop
facilities to care for the elderly. This includes products and
medical aids for the relevant groups of patients. The medical
device market, where Sino-foreign Joint Ventures are encouraged,
is predicted to be the world's largest by mid-century. All of
these initiatives will unfold numerous opportunities - from in/
out licensing to product development to distribution as well as
providing care and service - for foreign investors. Furthermore,
new regulations on foreign investments have been released and
the authorities are exploring standardizing product registration
with international requirements.
