Hospital audit of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, which covers representative hospitals in 16 major Chinese hospitals, shows that an average growth of 19.8% between 2002 and 2006. The growth, however, jumped 28.1% in the first three quarters of 2007.

Four out of the leading five suppliers to the representative hospitals during the period were MNCs as shown in the following table:

Top 5 Suppliers to Representative Hospitals in 16 Cities 1Q-3Q/2007

Source: CPA

Sodium Chloride replaced human albumin as the No.1 drug product (by generic name) in the representative hospitals of these 16 Chinese cities in the first three quarters of 2007. Ginko preparations experienced the sharply growth at 40.8% followed by omeperazole at 29.7%.

Leading Ten Drug Products in Representative Hospitals of 16 Cities 1Q-3Q/2007

Source: CPA

Among all therapeutic classes, nervous system drugs grew the sharpest at 41.3% followed by muscle-skeletal system at 40.5%.

Hospital Drug Consumption by Therapeutic Classes in 16 Chinese cities 1Q-3Q/2007

Source: CPA