Sodium Iodide Market Intelligence Report – Recent Commercial Dynamics

I. Price Trends
- Base Price: According to Shengyishe data, the benchmark price of sodium iodide on May 25, 2026, was RMB 522.50/kg, unchanged from the beginning of the month and positioned at the annual median level (annual minimum: RMB 504.00/kg; annual maximum: RMB 546.67/kg).
- Short-Term Volatility: Between March 1 and March 13, 2026, the price declined from RMB 546.67/kg to RMB 522.50/kg—a decrease of 4.42%—after which it remained stable at RMB 522.50/kg through May 25, 2026.

II. Supply and Demand Dynamics
- Supply Side:
- Capacity Expansion: The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Gaotong Chengdu Base completed GMP expansion certification in Q4 2025, increasing its annual supply capacity from 120,000 curies to 180,000 curies. Dongcheng Pharmaceutical’s Yantai facility launched its Phase II automated dispensing line in Q2 2026, expected to improve terminal delivery efficiency by 35%.
- Process Optimization: CNNC Gaotong’s fully automated capsule filling line—commissioned in 2025—increased batch capacity to 85,000 capsules per run, with radiopharmaceutical purity consistently maintained above 99.92%, representing a 0.15 percentage-point improvement over 2024 levels.
- Demand Side:
- Clinical Application: In 2025, the national total number of iodine-131 [131I] therapy procedures reached 287,000 cases, an increase of 13.1% year-on-year. Of these, post-thyroidectomy remnant ablation for thyroid cancer accounted for 64.3%, while hyperthyroidism treatment accounted for 35.7%.
- Dosage Form Substitution: In 2025, sales of iodine-131 sodium capsules totaled 2.168 million units, up 38.7% year-on-year, representing 57.4% of the total annual 131I drug dose supply—8.5 percentage points higher than in 2024. Conversely, oral solution sales declined by 2.1% year-on-year.

III. Policy & Regulatory Developments
- Health Insurance Coverage: The 2025 edition of the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) included sodium iodide (131I) in Category B reimbursement, covering all approved indications. The average patient out-of-pocket ratio decreased to 32.6%, significantly improved from 45.1% in 2024.
- Accelerated Approval: The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) designated sodium iodide (131I) oral solution as a “green channel” product for urgently needed radiopharmaceuticals, reducing the regulatory review timeline from 200 working days to 80 working days—a 60% improvement in approval efficiency.
- Transport Liberalization: The Ministry of Transport’s revised “Administrative Regulations on Road Transport of Radioactive Materials (2025)” classified medical 131I as Class B low-risk radioactive material, permitting qualified pharmaceutical logistics enterprises with basic licensing to undertake transport—impact assessed as manageable.

IV. Industrial Chain Updates
- Upstream: In 2025, central government special funding of RMB 386 million was allocated to accelerate construction of four 131I separation and purification platforms supporting medical reactors. Among them, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation (CIRC) Qinshan Base commenced operations in March 2025, with a designed annual production capacity of 12,000 curies.
- Midstream: Enterprises have upgraded production capabilities via automated dispensing lines and capsule filling systems, simultaneously enhancing impurity control and product stability to drive continuous quality improvement.
- Downstream: Expansion of clinical qualifications and equipment deployment is accelerating: by end-2025, a total of 483 medical institutions nationwide were authorized to administer 131I therapy—67 more than in 2024—with coverage across prefecture-level cities rising to 81.6%.

Analysis & Assessment
1. Price Stability Outlook: Sodium iodide prices have remained steady at RMB 522.50/kg recently, reflecting balanced supply-demand conditions. Capacity expansion and process optimization (e.g., by CNNC Gaotong and Dongcheng Pharmaceutical) have effectively enhanced supply capability, while demand remains robustly supported by expanded health insurance coverage and standardized clinical pathways.
2. Accelerating Dosage Form Substitution: Capsule formulations are rapidly replacing oral solutions due to advantages including lower occupational radiation exposure risk, superior dosing accuracy, and higher patient adherence. Capsule sales accounted for 57.4% of total 131I drug volume in 2025, and this share is expected to rise further.
3. Policy Dividend Realization: The combined policy measures—including broader insurance coverage, accelerated regulatory approvals, and relaxed transport regulations—have substantially reduced both patient financial burdens and enterprise operational costs, providing strong support for market expansion.

Forecast
1. Price Trend: Sodium iodide prices are expected to remain stable in the near term. Over the longer term, prices will fluctuate within a narrow range, subject to dynamic equilibrium between supply and demand and ongoing cost optimization. Short-term volatility may arise if upstream raw material (e.g., 131I) supply tightens or if policy adjustments occur (e.g., changes in health insurance reimbursement ratios).
2. Market Size: The sodium iodide (131I) pharmaceutical market in China is projected to reach RMB 968 million in 2026, representing a 12.3% year-on-year growth, sustaining its steady expansion trajectory. Globally, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the next six years is forecast at 6.2%; however, China’s market—driven by proactive policy support and strong clinical demand—is expected to grow faster than the global average.
3. Competitive Landscape: Leading enterprises—including CNNC Gaotong, Dongcheng Pharmaceutical, and CIRC—will consolidate their advantages through capacity expansion, technological upgrading, and deeper distribution network penetration. Smaller players must focus on niche segments (e.g., radiopharmaceutical CDMO services or domestic substitution of intelligent dispensing equipment) to achieve differentiation and sustainable growth.
4. Industry Trends: The sodium iodide market is transitioning from “supply-driven” to “dual-driven by supply and demand.” Key growth levers include rising clinical penetration, coordinated capacity release, maturing regulatory frameworks, and broadening payment coverage.