Lei Jufang: The catalog of classic prescriptions must not overlook traditional ethnic medicine.

Release time:

2017-02-20 11:09

　　The "Law of the People's Republic of China on Traditional Chinese Medicine," promulgated at the end of 2016, for the first time explicitly stipulated in law the importance of developing China’s classic and renowned traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. This represents a milestone of epoch-making significance.

　　Ethnic medicine is also an important component of China’s traditional Chinese medicine. The “Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine” explicitly states: “The term ‘traditional Chinese medicine’ as used in this Law refers to the collective designation of the medical systems of all ethnic groups in China, including both Han and minority ethnic medicines. It is a medical system that reflects the Chinese nation’s understanding of life, health, and disease, and boasts a long-standing historical tradition as well as unique theoretical and technical approaches.” Therefore, it is crucial to attach great importance to the development of classic prescriptions from traditional Chinese medicine, which naturally includes the development of classic prescriptions from ethnic medicines.

　　Ancient classic prescriptions refer to formulas recorded in ancient Chinese medical texts that remain widely used today, have proven efficacy, and possess distinct characteristics and advantages. The "Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy" stipulates that "the specific catalog of classic prescriptions shall be formulated jointly by the competent authority for traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council and the drug administration department." This legal provision clearly establishes that the "catalog" is a prerequisite for the development of classic prescriptions. As far as we know, under the leadership of the relevant authorities, significant groundwork has already been laid over several years in the collation and validation of classic prescriptions in both traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology. The formulation of a catalog of classic TCM prescriptions is currently underway vigorously under the guidance and organization of these authorities. However, the current research on the catalog of classic Chinese medicinal herbs has not yet begun work on a catalog of classic ethnic medicines. This situation will inevitably lead to another lag in the development of ethnic medicines within the framework of classic prescription research.

　　As is well known, ethnic medicines represented by Tibetan, Mongolian, and Uyghur traditional medicine possess sophisticated medical theoretical systems and extensive classical texts. Taking Tibetan medicine as an example, the "Four Medical Tantras," compiled in the 8th century AD, contains 443 classic prescriptions, most of which are still in clinical use today. However, only a few dozen of these prescriptions have been developed into officially approved Chinese medicinal products bearing the "National Drug Approval Number." These classic prescriptions have stood the test of clinical practice and continue to be widely used in Tibetan medical hospitals today, demonstrating their remarkable therapeutic efficacy and enduring vitality—qualities that make them highly worthy of further development and utilization.

　　To this end, we call on the authorities responsible for traditional Chinese medicine and drug regulatory agencies to, when compiling the catalog of time-honored classic prescriptions, strictly adhere to the spirit of the “Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine” and treat ethnic medicinal classic prescriptions that meet the prescribed criteria equally and fairly. We also urge them to accelerate the research and promulgation of the catalog of classic prescriptions from ethnic medicines.

　　(Lei Jufang, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairperson of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine)

　　Reporting Media: People's Political Consultative Conference Daily

　　Report URL: http://www.vbp.www.rmzxb.com.cn/c/2017-02-22/1356632.shtml

Improve the registration system for ethnic medicines and appropriately delegate review and approval authority.

Strengthen efforts to inherit and protect Tibetan medical culture.