As 2018 draws to a close, year-end summaries and reports from various industries are rolling out. The annual roundup of internet buzzwords remains a popular pastime for netizens. This year's list of trending phrases has arrived, and some terms resonate particularly with developments in the pharmaceutical machinery sector.

“Pick” This Year's Pharmaceutical Machinery Highlights

The English word “pick” means to select or choose, but in fan circles it signifies liking. “Pick” someone you like—this phrase has become another popular fan-culture term following the ‘cheer’ meme. This year, China's pharmaceutical machinery equipment industry has made remarkable progress, making it well worth “picking.”

Accelerated Expansion into International Markets This year, favorable policies like the Belt and Road Initiative have gained momentum, fueling heightened R&D enthusiasm among China's pharmaceutical machinery enterprises. Many companies have taken their products beyond national borders onto the global stage, with numerous industry leaders actively expanding into international markets. The progress of domestic pharmaceutical machinery enterprises in “going global” deserves recognition. Meanwhile, patent awareness continues to strengthen.

Competition within China's pharmaceutical machinery sector has intensified in recent years, yet counterfeit and imitation products persist in the market. By 2018, domestic pharmaceutical machinery enterprises had significantly heightened their patent awareness, learning to leverage patents as a weapon to protect their products from replication while simultaneously introducing patented innovations to the market. Judging by this year's pharmaceutical machinery exhibitions, these patented products hold a distinct competitive edge. Accelerated Progress in Smart Manufacturing Following the national launch of the “Intelligent Manufacturing 2025” strategy, China's pharmaceutical machinery sector witnessed a surge in “smart manufacturing” initiatives in 2018. Companies actively advanced Industry 4.0 system engineering projects, achieving breakthroughs in automated and intelligent equipment. For instance, many pharmaceutical machinery manufacturers enhanced the automated online inspection capabilities of their products. Additionally, some enterprises are establishing smart pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing workshops, adopting new smart manufacturing models to advance pharmaceutical intelligent manufacturing while placing greater emphasis on design concepts.

This year, numerous pharmaceutical machinery enterprises have heightened their focus on global drug R&D trends, deepening the integration of pharmaceutical equipment with manufacturing processes to drive the industry toward greener, more energy-efficient, safe, and high-efficiency development. For instance, to prevent cross-contamination of drugs, some manufacturers base their product design and manufacturing on GMP design principles under specific conditions. Experts note that with the state's emphasis on drug quality and safety, pharmaceutical equipment quality has far surpassed previous standards. Additionally, pharmaceutical machinery companies have gained clearer direction in their standardization strategies and placed greater emphasis on scientific management practices. Overall, the pharmaceutical machinery sector has made significant strides this year compared to previous years.

A Glance Confirms It: The Pharmaceutical Machinery Industry Needs Improvement

“A glance confirms it” originally appeared in the lyrics of JJ Lin's 2008 song “Drunken Red Cliff,” with the original line being “A glance confirms it, I've met the right person.” Today, it has become the go-to catchphrase for sarcasm in 2018.

Technical capabilities require enhancement. Industry insiders have noted that product quality in the current market is largely comparable, making technological prowess the key differentiator. For instance, in aseptic equipment, achieving isolation, reduced staffing, or even unmanned operations during sterile production remains a distant dream for China's pharmaceutical machinery sector.

Innovation efforts require strengthening. In terms of innovation, China's pharmaceutical machinery enterprises, due to their late start and weak technological foundations, still have room for growth compared to advanced foreign counterparts. While this year's innovation achievements in China's pharmaceutical machinery sector are commendable, long-term progress necessitates absorbing advanced knowledge and technologies, pursuing continuous innovation and development, and researching and developing products tailored to China's national conditions with distinctive Chinese characteristics. For instance, while some domestic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) equipment manufacturers have achieved progress in unit integration and high-efficiency extraction/concentration through R&D and innovation, the overall status of TCM raw material production equipment remains largely confined to unit operations. It has yet to achieve true integration into complete automated production lines.

Service quality requires improvement. Since 2018, pharmaceutical equipment companies have made some progress in product services, but significant room for enhancement remains. One company executive noted that service issues have been prevalent in recent years, with after-sales support being a major concern. “Pharmaceutical equipment companies must offer customers a product with genuine value to ensure they receive commensurate service experiences.” Therefore, companies should enhance the quality and capabilities of their service personnel through regular training covering product maintenance, troubleshooting, corporate culture, and service standards.

How far is the pharmaceutical machinery industry from taking center stage?

“Taking center stage” signifies occupying a pivotal position, typically reserved for entities with formidable capabilities—hence its connotation of strength among netizens. Considering the industry's progress and shortcomings this year, China's pharmaceutical machinery sector must enhance its capabilities in technology, innovation, talent development, and service delivery to achieve this goal.

According to the China Pharmaceutical Industry Development Report (2018), in 2017, China's pharmaceutical machinery industry enterprises above designated size achieved main business revenue of 18.7 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 7.74%; realized total profits of 1.5 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 8.14%; and achieved export delivery value of 1.9 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 3.86%.

Overall, the future development prospects for China's pharmaceutical machinery equipment industry appear promising. However, as the pharmaceutical machinery market gradually approaches saturation, enterprises must strengthen their core competencies, address weaknesses, uphold the “craftsman spirit,” and capitalize on emerging industry opportunities to achieve sustainable, steady growth.