CPhI China returned to the Shanghai Pudong New International Exhibition Center, June 24 to 26, for its 15th Annual Exhibition, hosted by UBM and CCCMHPIE. The show drew more than 45,000 international attendees, 2,600 exhibiting companies and nearly 150,000 square meters of pharmaceutical raw materials, contractors, natural extracts, bio pharmaceuticals, processing equipment, packaging materials, packaging equipment, lab equipment, clean tech and environmental protection products.
Exhibitors focused this year on not only large extravagant, high end booth designs but showcasing their commitment quality assurance and certifications. Most, if not all, exhibitors displayed multiple certification placards prominently displayed in their booths—ISO, EDQM, CFDA, GMP, NSF, organic, kosher and more.
Chinese suppliers are known internationally for their ability to produce large quantities of product at bargain prices, but often this has raised questions around ingredient quality. While low quality standards may have been acceptable in the past, it is no longer so. Consumers have become more conscientious about what they are putting into their bodies and in return, more aware of quality control standards of the products they are using.
With a recent increase consumer quality awareness, there has been a slight among U.S. and European buyers of Chinese ingredients, which has perpetuated the negative stigma toward Chinese ingredient suppliers and producers. Even many Chinese consumers have shied away from China-sourced ingredients and manufactured products due to a perception of poor quality.
The Chinese exhibitors at CPhI, however, were making a point of demonstrated how they have invested significant resources to improve quality of their products and combat this negative perception. More companies from the Chinese market are investing heavily in quality assurance, certifications, social responsibility and other important industry and consumer issues to create better products for all.
Keep an eye out for higher standards, better products and easier trade between the Chinese and U.S. markets to come.
Author Alex Koupal with contacts at CCC.
innoBio at the CPhI event.