诺华“退县”

Core Viewpoint - Multinational pharmaceutical companies (MNCs) are adjusting their strategies in the Chinese county market, with Novartis deciding to dissolve its county team while emphasizing its commitment to county patients [1][2]. Group 1: Novartis' County Market Strategy - Novartis is terminating its county business operations, which began in 2021, affecting nearly 1,000 county markets [1][2]. - The company has achieved significant results in the county market, establishing nearly 1,000 pharmacies across over 800 counties, focusing on various disease areas [2][3]. - Novartis' psoriasis drug, Cosentyx, has seen high penetration in county hospitals, with a sales revenue of 2.07 billion yuan in 2024, capturing 88% of the market share for psoriasis treatment [3][4]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Adjustments - Other MNCs, like AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly, are also restructuring their operations in response to the unbalanced return on investment in lower-tier markets [2][5]. - The trend of MNCs outsourcing mature products or consolidating divisions is becoming common as they focus on innovation [11][12]. - The county market remains a significant opportunity, with over 900 million people, but the return on investment is currently not favorable for MNCs [13][17]. Group 3: Challenges in the County Market - The growth of innovative drug sales in county hospitals is lagging behind urban hospitals, with only 11.2% of the market share and a growth rate of 9.5% [15][17]. - Barriers to the adoption of innovative drugs in county markets include conservative clinical practices among county doctors and limited patient payment capabilities [15][16]. - Local pharmaceutical companies have a competitive advantage in the county market, making it difficult for foreign companies to compete effectively [17][18].