Skip to main content
  1. Market Insights
  2. Health

Pharmaceuticals - China

China
  • The Pharmaceuticals market in China is expected to achieve a revenue of US$117.50bn in 2024.
  • Among the various market, Oncology Drugs is projected to be the largest with a market volume of US$21.02bn in the same year.
  • Looking ahead, the industry is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 5.82% (CAGR 2024-2029), resulting in a market volume of US$155.90bn by 2029.
  • When compared globally, United States is forecasted to generate the highest revenue, amounting to US$630.30bn in 2024.
  • China's pharmaceutical market is experiencing rapid growth due to increased government investment in healthcare and a growing middle class.

Definition:
The Pharmaceuticals market covers remedies used to cure, treat, prevent, and diagnose diseases. These small molecule drugs or biologic medical products may be called drugs, medications, or medicines. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are both included. Next generation therapies are also part of the Pharmaceuticals market and include gene therapy, cell therapy, and nucleic acid therapy. Cell therapies involve the use of living cells to replace or repair damaged tissues within the patient's body, or to modify cells to perform specific functions. Gene therapies focus on altering a patient’s genetic material to regulate the production of certain proteins. Nucleic acid therapies use short strands of DNA or RNA to inhibit the production of harmful proteins associated with diseases and promote the generation of therapeutic proteins. Depending on the regulations in each country, these products are provided by pharmacies, hospitals, physicians, and/or drug stores, and/or they can be bought elsewhere. They may be administered in the form of pills, capsules, gels, ointments, injections, infusions, lozenges, or aerosols/sprays.

Structure:
The market is subdivided into Oncology Drugs, Anti-Diabetes Drugs, Anti-Rheumatic Drugs, Vaccines, Dermatological Drugs, Antiviral Drugs, Immunosuppressants, Bronchodilator Drugs, Sensory Organ Drugs, Anti-Hypertensive Drugs, Anti-Coagulants, Anti-Fibrinolytic Drugs, Multiple Sclerosis Drugs, Lipid-Lowering Agents and Other Pharmaceuticals. The Pharmaceuticals market is organized in markets that cover drugs used in specific medical fields, i.e., medicines for a specific disesase or a certain type of medicine. They include original brands, biosimilars, generics, and orphan drugs.The Oncology Drugs market covers pharmaceutical products specifically developed for the treatment and management of various cancers. The Anti-Diabetes Drugs market covers medications designed to manage blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in individuals with diabetes. The market Anti-Rheumatic Drugs includes pharmaceuticals specifically developed to alleviate symptoms, reduce inflammation, and modify the progression of rheumatic diseases. The Dermatological Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals formulated to treat and manage a wide range of skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and rosacea. The Antiviral Drugs market includes medications designed to treat viral infections and reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. The Immunosuppressants market covers pharmaceuticals that suppress the immune system's activity. The Bronchodilator Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to relax and widen the airways in the lungs. The Sensory Organ Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals targeting the treatment of disorders and conditions affecting sensory organs such as the eyes, ears and nose. The Anti-hypertensive Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to lower blood pressure levels. The Anti-Coagulants Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals developed to prevent the formation of blood clots or to dissolve existing clots. The Anti-Fibrinolytics Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals designed to inhibit the breakdown of blood clots. The Multiple Sclerosis Drugs market covers pharmaceuticals aimed at managing and modifying the course of multiple sclerosis. The Lipid-Lowering Agents market covers pharmaceuticals developed to reduce levels of cholesterol and other lipids in the blood. The Other Pharmaceuticals market provides information on additional specialties that are not covered by the main markets.

Additional information:
Market values represent the revenues generated by manufacture prices paid to primary vendors, either directly or through distribution channels (excluding VAT). Reported market revenues include spending by consumers (B2C), companies (B2B), and governments (B2G).

Company examples: Novartis, Roche, Pfizer, Merck & Co, Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Sanofi.

In-Scope

  • Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
  • Small molecule drugs and biologic medical products
  • Vaccines
  • Original brands, biosimilars, and generics
  • Next-generation therapeutics

Out-Of-Scope

  • Veterinary drugs
  • Medical devices
  • Profit of wholesalers, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics
Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - Cover

Market Insights report

Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis

Study Details

    Revenue

    Notes: Data shown is using current exchange rates and reflects market impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Notes: The chart “Comparable Estimates” shows the forecasted development of the selected market from different sources. Please see the additional information for methodology and publication date.

    Most recent update: Mar 2024

    Analyst Opinion

    China, the world's most populous country, has been experiencing a significant growth in the Pharmaceuticals market in recent years. The market has been driven by various factors such as the increasing demand for healthcare, aging population, and government initiatives to promote the industry.

    Customer preferences:
    The Chinese population has been increasingly aware of health issues and has been willing to spend more on healthcare products. With the rise of the middle class, there has been an increase in disposable income, and people have been able to afford more expensive drugs. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine has been gaining popularity, and people have been more open to trying alternative medicine.

    Trends in the market:
    The Pharmaceuticals market in China has been experiencing significant growth in recent years. The market has been driven by the increasing demand for healthcare, the aging population, and government initiatives to promote the industry. The Chinese government has been investing heavily in healthcare, and there has been a significant increase in the number of hospitals and healthcare facilities. In addition, the government has been promoting the use of generic drugs, which has made drugs more affordable for the general population.

    Local special circumstances:
    The Chinese government has been actively promoting the pharmaceutical industry and has been providing incentives for companies to invest in the country. The government has also been encouraging foreign companies to enter the market and has been easing regulations to make it easier for companies to do business in the country. However, the market is highly regulated, and companies need to comply with strict regulations to operate in the country.

    Underlying macroeconomic factors:
    The Chinese economy has been growing at a steady pace, and there has been a significant increase in the middle class. With the rise of the middle class, there has been an increase in disposable income, and people have been able to afford more expensive drugs. In addition, the aging population has been increasing, and there has been a significant increase in demand for healthcare products. The Chinese government has been investing heavily in healthcare, and there has been a significant increase in the number of hospitals and healthcare facilities. In conclusion, the Pharmaceuticals market in China has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for healthcare, aging population, and government initiatives to promote the industry. The market is highly regulated, and companies need to comply with strict regulations to operate in the country. However, with the rise of the middle class and the increasing demand for healthcare products, the market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.

    Next generation therapy

    Notes: Data shown is using current exchange rates and reflects market impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war.

    Most recent update: Sep 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Global Comparison

    Most recent update: Jun 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Methodology

    Data coverage:

    Data encompasses B2B, B2G, and B2C spend. Figures are based on drug revenues allocated to the country where the money is spent. Monetary values are given at manufacturer price level excluding VAT.

    Modeling approach / Market size:

    Market sizes are determined by a top-down approach, based on a specific rationale for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use financial information of the key players by market. Next, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as industry associations. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

    Forecasts:

    In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the particular market. For example, forecasts are based on historical developments, current trends, and key market indicators, using advanced statistical methods. The main driver is healthcare expenditure. Expiring patents and new drugs in the pipeline are also considered.

    Additional notes:

    Data is modeled in US$ using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice per year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered at a country-specific level. This market comprises prescription drugs and all OTC drugs covered in the Statista OTC Pharmaceuticals market. However, in the OTC Pharmaceuticals market, revenues are based on end-consumer prices.

    Health

    Access more Market Insights on Health topics with our featured report

    Pharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - BackgroundPharmaceuticals: market data & analysis - Cover

    Key Market Indicators

    Notes: Based on data from IMF, World Bank, UN and Eurostat

    Most recent update: Sep 2024

    Source: Statista Market Insights

    Explore more high-quality data on related topic

    Global pharmaceutical industry - statistics & facts

    The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for the research, development, production, and distribution of medications. The market has experienced significant growth during the past two decades, and pharma revenues worldwide totaled 1.48 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022.
    More data on the topic

    Contact

    Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.