As residents of China's largest city brace for a possible prolonged lockdown, the gathering COVID-19 outbreak is set to cause some pharma disruption in the country, while broader geopolitical factors including Ukraine are hindering the industry's global ambitions. 

As residents of China's largest city brace for a possible prolonged lockdown, the gathering COVID-19 outbreak is set to cause some pharma disruption in the country, while broader geopolitical factors including Ukraine are hindering the industry's global ambitions. 

An average overall price reduction of 48% for insulin products in China is expected to generate annual savings of $1.4bn through 2023, but multinational pharma firms will be hit hard by the bidding process.

China has signaled that it will offer a more level playing field to foreign players as part of a bid to join a major regional trade pact but some see the gesture as offering little real relief and high hurdles remain.