27-Feb-16 The CFDA has said it would prioritize the approval of drugs with clear clinical value, including those that use advanced technology or innovative methods. It added that certain categories of drugs would get priority, including those for children and the elderly, rare diseases, AIDS, malignant tumors and viral hepatitis. [image: Aly Song / Reuters]

21-Feb-16 Iran and Russia have inked three memoranda of understanding to boost medical cooperation, ranging from exchanging knowledge and technology to importing and exporting medications. Iranian pharma companies are eager to export their products to Russia and Russian officials are optimistic. [image: Tehran Times]

15-Feb-16 China plans to consolidate its huge and fragmented drug market and will support a greater role for traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). China is a major lure for drug firms targeting growth driven by rising incomes and a fast-ageing population. Beijing is keen, however, for local firms to take a larger slice of the market. [image: Reuters / Aly Song]

12-Feb-16 Foreigners will be allowed to own a majority of up to 67% of businesses in Indonesia's healthcare sector, as part of sweeping reforms to liberalise its economy. Sectors ranging from fishery to retail - 49 in all - will be affected, with non-citizens able to take up 100% holdings in pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing firms. [image: AFP]

30-Jan-16 How big is the potential market for diabetes drugs in China? As big as the entire populations of Australia, Canada and Argentina combined. And it's growing. Only about half of China’s diabetics have been diagnosed, and only 15% of those diagnosed are receiving comprehensive treatment, said Jakob Riis, head of China at Novo Nordisk, the world’s largest insulin maker. [image: AFP / Getty Images]