After the gold rush of the past decade, the latest move this week by the Chinese authorities to probe the medicines sector has sent a chill wind through the multinational pharmaceuticals expanding in the country.
The National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing has signalled that it is examining pricing by 60 companies, including the domestic affiliates of half a dozen international groups such as Astellas of Japan, Merck of the US and GlaxoSmithKline in the UK.
Local industry executives stress that the inquiry is the latest in a series of audits by the commission, which sets an upper “ceiling” price for all patented and generic drugs reimbursed by the government.