GERMANY's express giant DHL has posted a big jump rise in the amount of healthcare cargo it handled in Asia in 2009, with shipments for finished pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical equipment up seven per cent over 2008 levels.

"Two factors driving this growth are the rising demand for healthcare in fast-expanding economies such as China and India, as well as the rapidly aging populations in countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, and Singapore," said DHL life science and healthcare vice president Sue Arden.

According to Datamonitor, pharmaceutical sales in the Asia Pacific region amounted to US$124.3 billion in 2009. Sales are projected to grow steadily at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) that exceeds 4.2 per cent from 2009 to 2014 to reach $153 billion.

"The establishment of DHL's first China Competence Centre in Pudong International Airport, Shanghai and a second soon-to-be-opened facility in Tianjin show the growing demand and opportunity we see in this sector," Ms Arden said.

The company already operates such centres in Australia, India and Singapore.

Vaccines, Ms Arden said, would likely continue to serve as the leading growth segment in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Source: www.schednet.com