Research by the World Health Organization has shown that“Physically, it is much more difficult to stop the production of millions of sperm per day for men than to prevent women from releasing an egg every month.”

In the contraceptive drugs market, contraceptive drugs for women account for 90%, and is gradually becoming just as accepted in China as it is in most other parts of the world.

Contraceptive drugs can be divided into short-acting oral contraceptives, contraceptives for topical use, long-acting oral contraceptives and emergency contraceptives according to the directions and efficacy.

Today, Ddu, the leading global pharmaceutical and medical device B2B online platform, will share China’s Import and Export Market Report of Contraceptive Drugs with you.

I. General situation of the global contraceptive drugs market

According to the statistics of the UN database, the major areas of global consumption of contraceptives are mainly distributed across North America, Asia and the European Union with the main countries being the United States, Belgium, Russia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

However, due to the economic and cultural differences, women in different countries and regions have adopted different contraceptive methods and oral contraceptives are generally preferred by women in developed countries. German, for example, women use oral contraceptives for an average of 6.5 years, in France, 5.6 years, and in the United Kingdom, 5.5 years.

According to the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), oral contraceptives, which are characterized by their high efficacy, low side effects and good cycle regulation, can also improve women's skin condition and bleeding patterns and are being used by more and more women of childbearing age. At the same time, scientists are constantly working hard to develop more safe and effective oral contraceptives.

II. China’s market of contraceptive drugs

In recent years, the contraceptive drugs market has been expanding with an increasing demand for contraception due to raised awareness of healthy reproduction.

According to PDB statistics, the contraceptive drugs market in China reached 3.39 billion Yuan in 2016, an increase of 3.8% from 2015. Additionally, the market share of short-acting oral contraceptives, long-acting oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and contraceptives for topical use was 6%, 0.4%, 69.6% and 4% respectively.

Emergency contraceptives ranked first in China's contraceptive drugs market with a huge market share followed by short-acting oral contraceptives.

Although short-acting oral contraceptives didn't take up the largest market share of contraceptives in China, their potential for development is worth looking into. Since they were released onto the market in the 1960s, short-acting oral contraceptives have undergone various changes from generation to generation. As their drug structure was continuously optimized, contraceptive efficiency gradually enhanced and side effects reduced, they were welcomed by women in Europe and the United States.

III. China’s import of contraceptive drugs

Although there is great market potential for oral contraceptives, there is a noticeable lack of high quality contraceptive products in China. Currently most domestic companies lack the necessary market awareness and with only single product structures and weak independent research and development capabilities (including secondary product development), China has not yet formed proper R&D entities and thus needs to import foreign high-quality products to meet the demands of the domestic market.

At present, as indicated on the chart below, the market segment of the domestic oral contraceptive market and the imported drugs market is very distinct Yu Ting, emergency contraceptives from Zizhu Pharma, is the top representative of domestic contraceptive drugs while Yasmin and Diane-35, short-acting oral contraceptives from Bayer Healthcare, are the main imported contraceptive drugs.

IV. China’s contraceptive drugs exports

It is estimated that China has about 350 million women of childbearing age in need of contraception, creating huge market capacity. Due to the continuous improvement of the family planning policy and social call, population control has drawn great attention from medical professionals. The result of this is that many pharmaceutical companies have become involved in the production of contraceptives and some of them have developed international markets. According to the data of China customs, China's contraceptive drug exports in 2016 was 11,758,000 USD and the major export products were as follows:

V. Domestic leading contraceptive drug companies

a. Zhejiang Xianju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Xianju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., domestic professional manufacturer of steroid drugs, is a designated drug producer of national family planning and a key high-tech enterprise of the National Torch Program.

Representative drugs: Yiting (Levonorgestrel Tablets)

Indication: Emergency contraception for women

Main exporting areas: USA, European Union, South Korea, Colombia and other countries

b. Shanghai pharmaceutical(Sine) Co,. Ltd.

One of the earliest ethnic chemical and pharmaceutical companies in modern China an industrial entity of the Chinese chemical pharmaceutical companies with the most products and formulations.

Representative drugs: Yiting (Levonorgestrel Tablets)

Indication: Emergency contraception for women

Main exporting areas: USA, UK, Canada, Australia and other countries

c. Regenex Pharmaceuticals. Co,. Ltd.

High-tech pharmaceutical company engaged in R&D, production and sales of reproductive health drugs, chronic drugs and external drugs.

Representative drugs: Danmei (Levonorgestrel Enteric-coated Tablets)

Indication: Emergency contraception for women

Main exporting areas: USA

IV. Short-acting oral contraceptives may be the new favorite of market

As one of the most effective methods to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex, the market is sure to grow. Moreover, the research on contraceptives in the market mainly follows three principles: effectiveness, less estrogen and side effects. Thus, Ddu, the leading global pharmaceutical & medical device B2B online platform, suggests that due to the distinct market potential, there is ample opportunity to explore and develop the short-acting oral contraceptive market in China. As a results of the rise in awareness of the benefits of these short-acting contraceptives, it won’t be long before they replace emergency contraceptives to become the new favorite in the Chinese market.