Because of the 29 percent rise of China sales for its patent medicines, the Swiss drug maker Novartis shows that they may start six new medicines in the domestic market this year.

Senior company executives forecasted that there would be 30 percent growth in sales as sales rose to 3.3 billion yuan in 2008.

Jeffrey, chief executive officer, Novartis China said that 2008 is the best year in their sales in recent years, in spite of the financial turmoil.

This year, a global sales growth of five percent is Novartis’ target. According to Li, the proportion of Novartis’ global sales in China is one percent.

2.26 billion yuan has already been invested and more will be laid in establishing infrastructure, research and development (R&D) and marketing, the CEO said.

The sharp contrast is that during other multinationals are cutting jobs, 20 percent more staff are planned to be hire by the company for the expansion plans in China.

The company will focus on the talent training. Li showed that the company would spend double money on talent training.

From this year, Novartis China will pay more attention to Local community clinics in China in order to benefit from China medical reform program.

It will help train doctors and instruct patients at the clinics. What is more, diagnosis and therapy standards for commonly and frequently encountered diseases will be popularized in public by Novartis China.

In 2008, Novartis China started the establishment of its R&D center in Shanghai, which is the third biggest within the group and ranks top in Asia.

Li added that Novartis is the only foreign pharmaceutical company to integrate comprehensive fundamental research work in China.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs granted the honour of the 2008 China Charity Award to Novartis China for donating cash and drugs worth more than 15 million yuan during the Sichuan earthquake.

The primary school in Sichuan, constructed with 1 million yuan which was donated by the employees from Novartis China is expected to put into use later this year.

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