Annual Report 2022

Mr. Tsoi Hoi Shan Chairman CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 6 The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited Annual Report 2022 Dear shareholders and partners, In 2022, China’s macro economy was facing multiple downward pressures due to the recurrent pandemic outbreaks. However, thanks to China’s efforts to optimise and adjust its epidemic prevention and control policies, China has seen resumption of work and normal life, and witnessed an accelerated recovery of demands for medical treatment and medical consumption. Based on the population data of the year, China experienced the first negative population growth in nearly sixty-one years, and the ageing population will bring huge medical demand. It is difficult to overstate the importance of deepening the reform of medicine and healthcare system to reduce the costs of patients for access to healthcare and medicines. As part of the reform, China commenced the fifth round of adjustment to the National Medical Insurance Drug List during the year, and successfully completed the seventh batch national centralised drug procurement, wh i ch g r ea t l y imp r oved t he access i b i l i t y and affordability of high-quality pharmaceutical products. With the continuous optimisation of the pharmaceutical industry pattern and the continuous deepening of industrial upgrading, the long-term positive trend of industry development remains unchanged.