Multinational drug manufacturers are increasing orders for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from China, according to International Business Daily. API is used in the production of medicines.

And the demands will continue to rise after a trio of exhibitions held in Shanghai later this month. CPhi (Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients) China 2007, ICSE (International Contract Services Expo) and P-MEC (Pharmaceutical Machinery & Equipment Convention) China 2007 will be held at the same time, from June 19 to 21.

Over 4,000 international buyers will attend the event, said Cui Bin, deputy secretary-general of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products. Up to now, over 1,300 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions have registered for the event.

China maintained a rapid growth in exports of Western medicines this year and the export prices of APIs for Western medicines increased greatly, said Cui. API exports reached US$4.155 billion during the first four months of 2007, up 22.08 percent year-on-year. The major export markets are the United States, India, Japan, Germany and the Netherlands.

In the first four months of this year, China exported 25,700 tons of vitamin C, up 10.78 percent year-on-year, with an export value of US$91 million, up 15.75 percent year-on-year. The average unit price for vitamin C reached US$3.55 per kilogram, up 4.72 percent year-on-year. The major reason for the price hike is because supply fell short of the rising demand. In addition, the reminbi¡¯s appreciation also contributed to the price hike.

Exports of Penicillin-G rose 23.75 percent year-on-year to 5,100 tons in the first four months, with an export value of US$69 million, up 75.25 percent year-on-year. The average unit price for the medicine hit US$13.51 per kilograms, up 41.61 percent year-on-year.

Sodium saccharin exports declined by 5.14 percent year-on-year to 5,300 tons in the first four months but the export value increased by 18.94 percent year-on-year to US$20 million. The average unit price for sodium saccharin reached US$3.75 per kilograms, up 25.41 percent year-on-year.

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