China shifts pharmaceutical industry toward high-quality innovation and wellness

China is transitioning its pharmaceutical and health industries toward a high-quality development model, driven by the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan. This strategic shift aims to move the sector from scale-based expansion to a focus on health outcomes and original innovation. The national goal includes achieving a 25% global share of first-in-class new drugs and a 20% annual growth rate for the innovative drug industry by 2030.

The health and nutrition market is also seeing significant growth, with the medicine and food homology sector projected to exceed RMB 450 billion. Consumer demand is being driven by the “new silver generation” and Generation Z, shifting spending from reactive treatment to proactive wellness.

To support this industrial evolution, the HNCEXPO-Shenzhen (Healthplex Expo, Natural & Nutraceutical Products Shenzhen) will be held from October 13 to 15, 2026, at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. Co-organized by CCCMHPIE and Sinoexpo Informa Markets, the event aims to connect global resources within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.