24-Dec-15 China's public insurance coverage is far less than adequate with low reimbursement rates – patented medicine and use of high-end medical devices are usually not covered. These gaps, together with China’s effort to boost investment in private healthcare insurance, have opened up attractive opportunities for foreign insurance companies, as the sector grows at over 40% annually. [image: China Briefing]

22-Dec-15 iKang Healthcare Group, China's largest private preventive healthcare provider, announced it has acquired 70% interest of Xi'an iKang Health Management, which owns three medical centers under the brand name Xi'an INLUNG. This marks iKang's first steps into Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province. [image: Sapphire Healthcare]

16-Dec-15 AstraZeneca aims to build up its already strong position in China by making and developing more medicines locally, and will invest more than USD800 mn in the country over the next 10 years. The British drugmaker's decision to step up investment, notably through a strategic alliance with WuXi AppTec, chimes with Beijing's desire to see more treatments made in China. [image: China Daily]

14-Dec-15 Chinese consumers spent RMB65 bn (USD10 bn) buying medicines, healthcare products and services on Alibaba’s Chinese retail sites in 2014, up 63% from a year earlier. In addition, sales of nursing care services grew 205% on Singles’ Day, while sales of health insurance increased 432% on Alibaba’s sites, including the huge Taobao and Tmall marketplaces. [image: International Supermarket News]

09-Dec-15 Many countries in East Asia now have to worry about losing as much as 15% of their working-age population by 2040, according to the World Bank. It said aging population and low fertility rates are to blame. Policies such as encouraging women to work, reforming pension schemes and shifting focus from hospital care to primary care are being recommended. [image: Zhang Peng / LightRocket / Getty Images]