Much anticipated legislation signals flexibility over online sales of pharma products and definition of counterfeits, but the law also falls short on key elements of pharmaceutical innovation and intellectual property rights protection, says one legal expert.

Record-breaking fine slapped on scandal-hit domestic vaccine maker in China has some wondering if the tide of opinion may be turning against private companies.

A regulatory framework that encourages physicians to conduct experimental cell and gene therapies have propelled China to become a major developer of such promising cancer-treating tools, but insiders say three are a plethora issues at stake.