Sales distribution of diabetic drugs in China 2018-2030, by category

Oral hypoglycemic drugs were the major diabetes medication category in China, accounting for about 60 percent of the market in 2018. Acarbose has been the bestselling oral antidiabetic medication in the country as it reduces glucose uptake mainly and is particularly suitable for the traditional Chinese diet high in carbohydrates. With its effectiveness at lowering blood sugar level, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) was expected to raise its market share significantly from two to 21 percent by 2030.