India and China have emerged as the optimal locations in the global pharmaceutical outsourcing market, according to a report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The report, titled ‘The changing dynamics of pharma outsourcing in Asia: Are you readjusting your sights?’, included an analysis of the costs and risks of outsourcing to Asian countries as well as the market opportunities available. The report also pointed out that in terms of investment, market opportunity is becoming increasingly significant when compared to the cost factor.

China leads the list for optimal outsourcing destination in Asia, followed by India, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

With regards to clinical trials, the large population in Asia also makes it a viable location given the pool of potential participants. In Asia, the patient enrollment time is about 30 percent lower than that in Western countries. China, with 428 ongoing clinical trials and 870 completed trials as of June 2008, has overtaken India as one of the fastest-growing locations for conducting drug trials.

In addition, the report forecast that China would become the second or third-largest pharmaceutical market in the world by 2020, and India among the top ten.