Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Outperform" rating for the biopharmaceutical industry [1] Core Insights - The market for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in musculoskeletal diseases is expected to grow significantly due to an aging population and increasing prevalence of related conditions [2][18] - The oral medication segment presents structural opportunities, while external patches are anticipated to continue expanding [3][32] Summary by Sections 1. Demand Growth in Musculoskeletal TCM Market - The aging population in China reached 202 million people aged 65 and above in 2023, leading to a rise in musculoskeletal disorders [2][18] - The penetration rate of musculoskeletal pain among the population aged 56 and above is 60.8%, while it is 42.2% among those aged 35 and below, indicating a younger demographic is increasingly affected [2][23] - The global pain management drug market is projected to reach $110.4 billion by 2030, with significant growth potential in China compared to markets in the US and Japan [2][28] 2. Structural Opportunities in Oral Medications - The oral TCM market is stable, with the top 10 products each generating sales below 1 billion yuan, indicating a lack of large-scale products [3][47] - Three innovative TCM products in the musculoskeletal field are expected to be approved and enter the national medical insurance directory from 2020 to 2024, which may lead to rapid market growth [3][53] - The basic drug policy aims to increase the usage of essential medicines, providing a competitive advantage for unique insurance products [3][69] 3. Expansion of External Patches - Compared to mature markets like Japan and South Korea, China's external patch market has significant room for growth, with external patches likely to gradually replace oral medications [3][30] - The concentration of external patches in public medical institutions and retail pharmacies is high, allowing leading companies to increase their market share [3][30] - Price increases are expected to continue driving growth in the external patch industry [3][32] 4. Investment Recommendations - Companies to watch include Fangsheng Pharmaceutical, Panlong Pharmaceutical, Lingrui Pharmaceutical, and Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, which have significant advantages in musculoskeletal TCM products [4]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **pharmaceutical industry** in China, focusing on upcoming policies and their implications for innovation and market dynamics. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **Introduction of Class B Directory**: The anticipated launch of the Class B directory or commercial insurance directory in the second half of 2025 is expected to shift the focus of national policy towards efficiency, benefiting innovative drug pricing and commercial insurance development [1][3][5]. 2. **Optimized National Procurement Policy**: An optimized national procurement policy is being formulated, with expectations that the 11th batch of procurement rules will be more favorable than the 10th batch, indicating a positive trend in domestic pharmaceutical policies [1][6][7]. 3. **Impact of Class B Directory on Innovative Drugs**: The Class B directory is crucial for the innovative drug sector as it allows for higher demand satisfaction through commercial insurance, facilitating market access and pricing for innovative drugs [1][5]. 4. **Medicare Negotiations**: Ongoing Medicare negotiations for 2025 are expected to follow similar timelines as previous years, with some drug prices potentially exceeding expectations, particularly for major products [1][9]. 5. **Support for Innovative Drug Development**: The government is implementing various policies to support innovative drug development, including reducing review and approval times to 30 days, reflecting an increased focus on the pharmaceutical industry [1][10]. 6. **International Market Expansion**: Domestic companies are increasingly supported in their international market expansion efforts, with policies aimed at promoting the export of high-quality products to regions like Southeast Asia and Europe [1][11][12]. Additional Important Content 1. **Changes in Basic Drug Directory Importance**: The importance of the basic drug directory is diminishing due to annual updates in the Medicare directory and the existence of procurement varieties, making the medical alliance drug directory more significant for hospital access [1][4][13]. 2. **DRG Policy Impact**: The DRG policy, which was fully implemented in 2024, has had a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry, with adjustments expected to make its effects more manageable by 2025 [1][14][15]. 3. **Regional Variations in Healthcare Reform**: The implementation of the Sanming healthcare reform varies by region, with larger cities adapting the model to fit local needs rather than following it strictly [1][16]. 4. **Drug Lifecycle Pricing Management**: There are expectations for progress in drug lifecycle pricing management policies, with potential actions anticipated in the second half of 2025 [1][17]. 5. **Tariff Implications on Exports and Imports**: Current tariff discussions, particularly regarding the U.S., may not significantly impact China's pharmaceutical exports, while imports remain unaffected due to low tariffs [1][18][19].