Swiss Pharma Giant Sandoz Files Anti-Dumping Complaint Against China Over Antibiotics

Swiss pharmaceutical group Sandoz said today that it has filed an anti-dumping complaint with the European Union (EU), accusing China of dumping the raw material for amoxicillin, a widely used antibiotic. According to AFP, as one of the world's largest generic drug manufacturers, Sandoz stated that it has found "clear signs of market-distorting behavior," including pricing below cost and state subsidies from Chinese authorities for products exported to Europe. Sandoz pointed out that such support makes it impossible for European local production to compete, thereby threatening European amoxicillin production. Sandoz stated that this is the first such anti-dumping case in the pharmaceutical sector in decades. Sandoz CEO Richard Saynor said in a statement: "The reality is that currently up to 90% of the world's antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients are produced outside of Europe, mainly in China. This is a critical strategic weakness." He added: "Current market conditions do not reflect fair competition; they systematically disadvantage resilient European production and risk losing critical manufacturing capabilities."