Phenomenon of Inappropriate Drug Manufacturing in China - Past and Present.

It is an unspoken fact that Chinese manufacturers have been copying drugs inappropriately, despite these drugs having worldwide patent protection1, such as Abilify® (aripiprazole) for schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder, ALIMTA® (pemetrexed) for non-small cell lung cancer, Spiriva® (tiotropium bromide) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and Detrol® (tolterodine) for overactive bladder. From previous experience, it has been noticed that these domestic ‘branded’ drugs obtained market approval prior to the originator drugs. As cancers, respiratory diseases and neurological conditions are prevalent both globally and in China2, the demand for new drugs that target these conditions is likely to be high. This high demand may drive local manufacturers to produce versions of new drugs that are not yet available on the Chinese market.