No bitter pill for pharmaceutical shares

SHANGHAI: At a time of market volatility, pharmaceuticals companies' shares are riding high due to strong investor confidence and bright market prospects boosted by the nation's massive investment in healthcare reform.

The healthcare sector has shown strong resistance to the sluggish market movement since early August, with most listed pharmaceutical firms predicted to report a big jump in their half-year business revenues.

Statistics from financial service provider Wind Info showed that among the 54 pharmaceutical firms that had released their half-year performance forecasts, about 56 percent said they would register a revenue rise.