For decades The People’s Republic of China has been expanding its capacity to perform organ transplants, primarily kidneys and livers but also hearts, lungs and multiorgan transplants. The annual number of organ transplants performed is estimated to be over 30 000. The number is expected to grow with a projected market for immunosuppressants expected to be over ¥30 billion/$4.3 billion by 2024.
China is second only to the USA and is expected to become the country with the largest number of organ transplants by 2021 or 2022. Many transplants are performed on Chinese citizens but an active market in transplants for ‘tourists’ is ongoing.
The source of the supply of organs to fuel this rapid growth has long been suspect.