Pharmaceuticals
Founded 1994. Operates mainly in China, but acquired Australian vitamin business Vitaco in 2016.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Apr 2025)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Low ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 16.9, placing it in the "low risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
10.34% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 10.34/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "No Commitment" (retrieved 4 Feb 2025).
Source: WAZA
(2025)
Part owned by Govt of China
This company's ownership structure is complex, but it is at least 24.8% owned by Shanghai SASAC, which is owned by the Govt of China, which has received criticisms, particularly over human rights.
Source: company website
(2018)
Price fixing in China
In 2016 China's anti-monopoly regulator fined five domestic drug firms, including a subsidiary of this company, a total of close to 4 million yuan ($607,977) for fixing the prices of their medicines. Between April 2014 to September 2015 the companies raised the price of allopurinol tablets, a drug used to treat gout and kidney disease, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in statements on its website.
Source: news article
(2016)
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
1994
Revenue:
28.35 billion USD
(2019)
Employees:
42,236
(2017)
Subsidiaries:
Vitaco Holdings Ltd
(60% owned)
Health food, supplements and sports nutrition
Vitaco began in 2007 when two Australasian health & wellness companies merged: Nutra-Life and Healtheries. Bought Bodytrim in 2014 and Musashi in 2015. Next Capital acquired a majority stake in 2007 and floated Vitaco on the ASX in 2015. Soon afterwards the company was acquired by Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and Chinese investment firm Primavera Capital.
Musashi Pty Ltd
Health and sporting supplement makers
Acquired by Vitaco Health in 2015. Owned by Nestle from 2005-2014.
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Vitaco (60% owned)
Abundant Earth
Milk Flavouring
★ certified organic
Abundant Earth
Health Foods
Athena
Sports Nutrition
Aussie Bodies
Sports Nutrition
Balance
Sports Nutrition
Bodytrim
Weight Loss
Healtheries
Health Bars
Healtheries
Health Foods
Healtheries
Tea
Musashi
Sports Nutrition
Musashi
Weight Loss
Musashi Energy
Energy Drinks
Nutra-Life
Vitamins