欧洲药草类制品市场之探讨

Herbal Product Market in Europe

在欧洲无论是药品、美容品或保健食品形式的药草类产品是越来越受欢迎。现时欧洲各国对这些产品的品质安全监管情况呈现大幅的差异。近年来欧盟开始制订新一轮法律,目的是使这些产品的监管能趋向一致。面对这些新法律加诸的约束和限制,中小型草药公司可能会感到难于应付。相反地,一些拥有雄厚资金和技术力量的大药厂却对投资药草类制品供应欧洲场市场显示出浓厚的兴趣。在可预见的将来,策略性联盟、收购合并及行业重组等活动将会频繁地发生。文章认为中国草药公司在面对激烈市场竞争情况下扩展欧洲业务仍然是大有可为的。同时针对一些边缘产品、标签、包装、健康与营养声明等条例和法规作了深入的分析,指出它们皆是中国草药商应特别关注的重要法律问题。

Herbal products, either in the form of drugs, cosmetics or health food are increasingly popular in Europe. There are wide variations throughout Europe with regard to the quality and safety control of these products. In recent years EU begins to adopt a new wave of legislation aiming at harmonizing the law. While small and medium herbal companies may feel very difficult to tackle the legal restriction problems newly imposed upon them, some large pharmaceutical companies with adequate capital and technical know-how are showing keen interest in investing in herbal products for supply to the European market. Strategic alliance, merger and acquisitions, and industry restructuring activities will frequently take place in the foreseeable future. This article argues that although facing fierce market competition Chinese herbal companies are well positioned to expand their business in Europe. Besides it makes an in-depth analysis of a set of important rules and regulations concerning borderline products, labeling, packaging, health and nutrition claims; all of which are important legal issues deserving special attention of Chinese herbal companies.