The rise of China and India, combined with protectionist pressure from the Trump administration, is redrawing the global map of the pharmaceutical industry. The Europe-wide deindustrialization that began in the 2000s is now accelerating.

https://archive.is/c3U7L

For example, in the production of active ingredients, Europe’s market share by value has slumped. While it exceeded 80% at the end of the 1990s, it had fallen to 48% by 2014. “Today, it’s closer to 30%, and it’s likely to drop further,” noted Vincent Touraille, president of SICOS, France’s union of players in the organic chemistry and biochemistry industries. Meanwhile, China and India have soared to reach respective market shares of 35% and 20%.

A study conducted by German generic drug industry association Pro Generika found that at least three commonly used antibiotics – doxycycline, clarithromycin and cefaclor – now have only one or two manufacturers left in Europe. More broadly, 80% of the active ingredients in medicines consumed on the continent now come from India or China.

  • Sepia@mander.xyzEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    While Europe has been shaken in the area of mature medicines, it can at least pride itself on having preserved, relatively intact, the field of so-called innovative medicines. Their development and manufacturing processes are more complex than those of older, chemically based medicines, putting them out of reach of Asian competitors. And although these treatments account for only a small portion of patient consumption, with generics making up 70% of prescription volumes on the continent, they are also the most profitable segment of the market.

    Meanwhile … China, which until now had focused on manufacturing lower value-added products such as generics and active ingredients, now aims to become a major player in innovative medicines. Thanks to highly ambitious public policies, China is investing heavily in research and development and bio-production to accelerate its move upmarket. Clinical trials are multiplying across the country, and Chinese companies are increasingly forming partnerships with Western laboratories to develop new medicines. Trapped between these two global giants, Europe will have to fight hard to avoid a steep decline. [Emphasis mine.]

    As far as I understand, it seems quite clear what measures Europe (and its allies) should take at least regarding China seeking partnerships with Western laboratories to maintain independence in this innovative medicines. Europe should collaborate in these sensitive areas with like-minded democracies rather than autocracies known for bullying others as soon as they think it is advantageous to them and to them alone.