By the pandemic year of 2020, China accounted for the bulk of exports of certain pharmaceutical raw materials. The country now plays an indispensable role in the supply chain for antibiotics and vitamins.
China’s pharmaceutical sector, long known for generic drugs and raw materials, is rapidly emerging as a force in innovative medicines. This dovetails with Beijing’s ambition to surpass the U.S. industry, especially in biologics. China’s methods, however, have drawn significant criticism.