The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Thursday 4th October, 2007 IPI - academic partner of UK-China Healthcare Working Group

IPI Director Paul Thorning, along with his colleague Dr. Qun Shao, attended the first meeting of UK-China healthcare working group in Beijing earlier this year in August 2007.

Through the recognition of IPI’s China business development programme by the British Embassy in Beijing, the IPI was nominated as an academic member of the UK team (alongside AstraZeneca, GSK, Smith’s Medical, Eschmann, ABHI, and the Department of Health) to participate in talks with senior government officials, companies and institutes from China.

Led by senior government officials from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Medicines & Health Products (CCCMHPIE), the UK-China Healthcare Working Group aims:
•to enhance co-operation and communication between UK and Chinese healthcare enterprises and industries
•to promote further bilateral trade and investment
•and to improve healthcare standards and living quality in both countries

Many issues were discussed in this inaugural meeting, including:
•Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Copyright Protection
•The existing medical reimbursement system and the pricing structure in China
•How to introduce pharmaceutical and healthcare products in both countries
•The entry of traditional Chinese medicine into the UK market