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ARTICLE · 11 AUGUST 2026

China Compliance Update: Life Sciences — Summer 2026

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China's regulators intensified anti-corruption enforcement in the life sciences sector during the first half of 2026, introducing stricter oversight of medical data security, sales representatives, and public procurement processes. New administrative measures and judicial interpretations have lowered thresholds for criminal liability while expanding corporate accountability for employee misconduct.

ChinaGovernment, Public Sector
John Tan
John Tan
Siyi Gu
Siyi Gu
Chuqiao Yu
Chuqiao Yu
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In the first half of 2026, anti-corruption enforcement in the life sciences industry remained a major focus for China’s regulators. The life sciences sector also saw important developments in data security, public procurement, and management of sales representatives. This Advisory summarizes these developments and outlines compliance considerations for the new environment.

Enforcement Focus for 2026

On June 8, 2026, China’s National Health Commission (NHC), together with 13 other government authorities,1 published the 2026 Work Priorities for Rectifying Misconduct in the Field of Pharmaceutical Purchase and Sales and Medical Services (the Work Priorities, 2026年纠正医药购销领域和医疗服务中不正之风工作要点). The Work Priorities focus on recurring issues identified in recent years and set out regulatory expectations in 11 areas, including procurement, pricing, medical data, medical insurance, and delivery of healthcare services.

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