China’s Hepatitis C Virus Market Will Grow to $247 Million in 2015

China’s Hepatitis C Virus Market Will Grow to $247 Million in 2015
Decision Resources

Posted on:24 Mar 11

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Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, forecasts that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) market in China will grow from $137 million in 2010 to $247 million in 2015. According to the Emerging Markets report, Hepatitis C Virus in China, a large patient population and expansion of government-sponsored health insurance and reimbursement of high-priced HCV therapies are among the drivers that will contribute to growth in this market.

“China has the largest HCV patient population in the world—more than five times the number of HCV infection cases in all seven major pharmaceutical markets combined,” said Decision Resources Analyst Jing Wu, M.S., M.B.A. “The percentage of HCV patients in China who are diagnosed is low, but we anticipate a small increase in diagnosis rates that will lead to a significant expansion of the overall drug-treated patient population in China.”

The report also finds that while peg-IFN-alpha agents Roche’s Pegasys and Merck’s PegIntron are recommended as first-line therapy by the Chinese HCV Prevention and Treatment Guidelines, their uptake has been limited because of high treatment costs. Peg-IFN-alpha agents have been included in the 2009 National Reimbursement Drug List in China, with a reimbursement rate that ranges from 50 to 90 percent and varies by region.

“The partial reimbursement of the treatment cost of peg-IFN-alpha agents will expand the patient population that can afford these high-priced treatments, especially in urban regions,” said Ms. Wu. “However, high copayment will continue to pose a big financial burden on patients, and more than a third of the urban population has not yet been covered by a government-sponsored health insurance program.”

The new report features extensive primary research with Chinese gastroenterologists, hepatologists and infectious disease specialists as well as a market outlook through 2015.

About Emerging Markets Reports

Decision Resources is the first and only company to offer a syndicated report series for high-growth emerging markets with comprehensive disease-specific analysis. Each report assesses the commercial opportunity in the pharmaceutical market for a disease based on population demographics, economic development, disease epidemiology and changing physicians’ practices.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com .

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Last updated on: 24/03/2011 14:00:39

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