Strong demand for Roche’s speciality cancer medicines, many of which are bought privately in emerging markets, has helped it defy an expected slowdown in sales in China following a crackdown on sales practices there.

The Swiss group today posted an 8 per cent rise in third-quarter sales in local currencies – or 2.7 per cent in Swiss francs, after adverse foreign exchange moves – helped by strong uptake of two new breast cancer drugs. The world’s largest maker of cancer drugs chalked up growth of 12 per cent in the US in the first nine months of the year and said it had seen continued strong growth in China, where sales were up 23 per cent.

This contrasts with the problems faced by other multinational drugmakers in China where an anti-bribery drive has hit promotional activities and sales. – (Reuters)