中国疾控中心监测数据显示，本周国内流感病毒检测阳性率继续上升。以A(H1N1)pdm09亚型为主。2024年12月23日至12月29日，南方省份哨点医院报告的ILI%（注：流感样病例占门急诊病例的百分比）为5.7%，高于前一周的4.7%，高于2021年同期的4.1%，低于2022~2023年同期水平（8.5%和10.5%）。北方省份哨点医院报告的ILI%为7.2%，高于前一周的6.4%，高于2021~2023年同期水平（4.2%，5.5%和6.5%）。此次流感北方地区发病率明显高于南方地区。① Recently, the positivity rate of the influenza virus has significantly increased, with over 99% being H1N1. Market data shows a noticeable increase in the demand for various Traditional Chinese Medicine cold remedies. ② Today, several listed companies in the Traditional Chinese Medicine industry, such as Shanxi Zhendong Pharmaceutical, Hainan Huluwa Pharmaceutical Group, and Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical, have seen their stock prices hit the upper limit. The Traditional Chinese Medicine sector has risen overall, with the Traditional Chinese Medicine 50 ETF up by 3.21%.
According to the Financial Association on January 6 (Reporter Zhang Liangde), the flu has entered a seasonal epidemic phase. Data from the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that the positivity rate of the influenza virus has significantly increased, with over 99% being H1N1. Market data shows a noticeable increase in the demand for various Traditional Chinese Medicine cold remedies.
Several listed companies in the Traditional Chinese Medicine sector have informed Financial Association reporters that their companies produce Traditional Chinese Medicines for Against Influenza and clearing heat and detoxification, which are currently being produced in an orderly manner according to market demand.
Data from the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that this week, the positivity rate for domestic influenza Virus Testing continues to rise, mainly dominated by the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. From December 23 to December 29, 2024, the ILI% (Note: the percentage of influenza-like illness cases among emergency and outpatient visits) reported by sentinel hospitals in southern provinces was 5.7%, higher than the previous week's 4.7%, higher than the same period in 2021 (4.1%), but lower than the same period in 2022-2023 (8.5% and 10.5%). The ILI% reported by sentinel hospitals in northern provinces was 7.2%, up from 6.4% the previous week, and higher than the levels of the same period in 2021-2023 (4.2%, 5.5%, and 6.5%). The incidence of this flu is significantly higher in northern regions compared to southern regions.
Image source: China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As the flu enters its peak season, the sales of related Chinese Patent Medicine products have significantly increased. Data from Zhongkang Lingsu shows that by December 2024, the national sales and distribution rate of cold medications and heat-clearing products reached 97.30%; the average daily order quantity per store was 11.32, an increase of 27.0% from last month; the average daily sales per store were 344.3 yuan, up by 41.3% from last month; the average customer transaction amount was 30.2 yuan, up by 10.5% from last month.
The Meituan Buy Medicine platform shows that products such as 999 Cold Medicine, Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Compound Banlangen granules, Vitamin C Silver Qiao tablets, and Shuanghuanglian oral liquid rank high in sales among fever, headache, and cold medications. In children's medications, products such as Children's Lung Heat Cough and Wheezing Oral Liquid, Children's Cough and Wheezing Granules, and Children's Cold Granules are leading in sales.
Image source: Meituan.
The stock prices of several Chinese Patent Medicine listed companies with a significant sales share in heat-clearing and detoxifying pharmaceuticals performed well today. Companies like Shanxi Zhendong Pharmaceutical (300158.SZ), Hainan Huluwa Pharmaceutical Group (605199.SH), and Zhongsheng Pharmaceutical (002317.SZ) saw their stock prices hit the ceiling, with the Traditional Chinese Medicine sector overall rising and the Traditional Chinese Medicine 50 ETF increasing by 3.21%.
A representative from Henan Taloph Pharmaceutical Stock (600222.SH) told reporters from the Financial Association that the company’s core product, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, has been included in the Essential Drug List and the Medical Insurance Catalog for several consecutive years, demonstrating good broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral efficacy, ranking in the top ten in the 'Chinese Patent Medicine - Cold and Cough' category. Additionally, in recent years, the market share of the children’s version of Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid has been increasing.
A representative from Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical (002603.SZ) introduced that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules have formed a complete evidence chain from basic research to clinical application and are among the few domestically produced medications with comprehensive clinical evidence for treating H1N1 influenza. Furthermore, the combination of Lianhua Qingwen and Oseltamivir for flu treatment can achieve synergistic effects. Research indicates that the combined use of Lianhua Qingwen and Oseltamivir can shorten the time for nucleic acid to turn negative and reduce the duration of fever, cough, and sore throat.
As a traditional advantageous area for Chinese Patent Medicine, many listed companies also own exclusive products for heat-clearing and detoxifying as well as for Against Influenza.
A representative from Guangdong Jiaying Pharmaceutical (002198.SZ) informed reporters from the Financial Association: 'Zhongganling Tablets are the representative product for treating severe colds and are a prescription product developed by the company, used for severe colds caused by unresolved exterior pathogens and internal heat, with effects such as relieving the exterior, clearing heat, dispersing wind, and relieving pain.' The 2023 Earnings Reports show that the company's Shuangliao Throat Wind Powder and Zhongganling Tablets account for about 20% of the company’s sales.
The Xuanfei Baidu Granules under Shandong Buchang Pharmaceuticals (603858.SH), developed by Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician Zhang Boli, can alleviate discomfort symptoms, effectively relieve fever, throat discomfort, cough, and fatigue, inhibit coronaviruses and influenza viruses, and are commonly used for treating acute infectious diseases like colds, influenza, and pneumonia.
Recently, GuangYuYuan Chinese Herbal Medicine (600771.SH) stated on an interactive platform that their products such as Lingqiao Jiedu Pills, Qingwen Jiedu Pills, and Tongxuan Lipai Pills are effective for treating influenza. Currently produced 'Cold and Heat Clearing Granules' are used for wind-cold colds with symptoms like headache and fever, chills and body aches, runny nose, and cough with dry throat. A company representative told reporters from the Financial Association: 'For the recent outbreak of influenza with severe symptoms, it is recommended to strengthen daily health management, enhance physical fitness, improve body resistance, and reduce symptoms of infection and contagion, with options like Guiling Powder.'
Looking back over the past two years, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for health care products among recovered COVID-19 patients. Considering relevant market experiences, some groups may show a purchasing demand for health care Traditional Chinese Medicine products after recovering from influenza.
