On 14 April, the State Council issued opinions on improving the drug pricing mechanism to support high-quality development in the pharmaceutical industry. These propose optimising the initial pricing mechanism for newly-marketed drugs and offering tailored policy support and guidance for high-level innovative drugs, modified new drugs and generic drugs.

Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy in the world thanks to its advanced healthcare services. In addition, the city expects to be home to an increasingly aging population, as is the case with many other developed economies, in the years to come. The number of elderly people aged 65 or above is projected to increase from 20.5% of the total population in 2021 to 36% by 2046.

President Trump has issued a proclamation imposing the Section 232 tariffs on imports of patented pharmaceuticals and their ingredients.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released its Implementation Plan for the High-Quality Development of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry (2026-2030). Announced on 5 February, the plan will see the construction of high-standard production bases for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) raw materials as a means of ensuring the effective alignment of supply and demand and the maintenance of a stable, continuous supply.

As well as expanding in number, the Chinese Mainland’s elderly population also continues to evolve in terms of expectations and preferences. While, for instance, older Mainlanders used to have distinct reservations when it came to the use of such things as wheelchairs and mobility scooters, more seniors now see such products as stylish and convenient necessities, while also being highly quality aware.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a final rule that effective 9 April finalises imports and exports restrictions on a substance that produces similar hallucinogenic effects as PCP.

Guangdong’s provincial government has announced plans to accelerate the development of multiple hi-tech industrial frontiers over the period 2026-2030.

With demand surging in line with a major demographic shift, intelligent solutions for senior citizen problems are now being swiftly marketised.

The updated Detailed Rules on Examination of Production Licensing for Formula Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on 3 March and took effect on the same day. The rules consist of 43 articles spanning seven chapters, and include stringent requirements for production sites, equipment and facilities, technological procedures, personnel management, institutional management and other areas.

The Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation announced on 4 March the launch of self-inspection work by registrants, filing persons and production and operation enterprises of the medical device sector for the year 2025, so that the authority could conduct a baseline assessment of their production and operations. The exercise must be completed online before 30 April 2026.