Swiss pharma firm Sandoz is stepping up its criticism of imports of low-priced antibiotics from China. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The Swiss generics giant has submitted a draft complaint to the European Commission. The group is targeting imports of penicillin – the active ingredient in amoxicillin – from China. According to the company, Chinese suppliers are heavily subsidised and can therefore offer antibiotics at very low prices, distorting competition. “Up to 90% of the world’s antibiotic active substances are now produced outside Europe, mainly in China. This situation constitutes a critical strategic vulnerability, with direct consequences for public health, crisis preparedness and Europe’s ability to defend its status in a rapidly changing world,” stated CEO Richard Saynor. Sandoz is particularly critical of the role of Chinese suppliers, who influence the market with heavily subsidised and therefore cheap antibiotics. “I don’t think that …