cphi-online.com

The number of sales representatives for the pharmaceuticals industry is now higher in China than the US for the first time.

Figures from Cegedim Strategic Data's latest audit of the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region show that sales force numbers reached 80,000 in China in March 2012, representing a 17 per cent increase over the preceding 12 months.

During the same period, sales force numbers in the US fell by eight per cent to 72,000.

Delphine Perridy, managing director of Cegedim Strategic Data China, said: "Sales force growth here reflects the huge potential that the industry sees for this market.

"Having covered the major cities, companies are now focussing expansion efforts on more hospital types and lower tier cities. We expect to see continued expansion through next year."

The market research company - which tracks industry sales force figures and pharmaceutical marketing investments in more than 30 countries - also noted that sales force levels continue to drop in major western markets.

This is due to a combination of several major brands going off-patent and pipelines failing to deliver new treatments at the rate required to maintain the current number of reps.