Lei Jufang: A Dream Chaser in the Ethnic Medicine Industry

　　In recent years, the state has continuously stepped up its support for the development of ethnic medicine. Both the “Outline of the Development Strategy for Traditional Chinese Medicine (2016–2030)” and the “13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine” have placed great emphasis on “promoting the development of ethnic medicine,” thereby providing clear guidance for its growth. As a leading figure in the ethnic medicine industry, Lei Jufang, while dedicating herself wholeheartedly to the research, production, and marketing of Tibetan medicine under the platform of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, also remains deeply committed to the protection, development, promotion, and innovation of the entire ethnic medicine sector.

　　On the occasion of the Two Sessions, Lei Jufang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from the Shanghai Securities Journal. While providing a detailed introduction to the contents of her proposal, she also shared unique insights into the policy benefits and promotion trends of the ethnic medicine industry. Moreover, she painted for the reporter her vision of what an ideal Qizheng Tibetan Medicine company should look like.

　　“If you take a close look at Lei Gong’s (the industry’s nickname for Lei Jufang) annual proposals, you’ll notice that they’re not limited to the field of Tibetan medicine operated by listed companies—she’s actually offering advice and suggestions for the development of the entire ethnic medicine industry,” a pharmaceutical expert who has known Lei Jufang for many years told a reporter.

　　At this year’s Two Sessions, Lei Jufang once again submitted several proposals. Among them, her most important proposal is “A Proposal on Suggesting the Priority Development and Approval of a Catalogue of Time-Honored Formulas of Ethnic Medicines.” Against the backdrop of the 2016 promulgation of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Law, Lei Jufang, together with industry experts, called upon the competent authorities for TCM and the drug regulatory agencies to, when compiling a catalogue of time-honored formulas from ancient times, strictly adhere to the spirit of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Law and prioritize the compilation, cataloging, and approval of those ancient ethnic medicine formulas that “continue to be widely used today, have proven efficacy, and possess distinct characteristics and advantages.” Lei Jufang also specifically proposed encouraging ethnic medicine enterprises to conduct new drug research and development or to develop new dosage forms based on the approved time-honored formulas.

　　Thanks to Lei Jufang’s many years of deep engagement in the field of ethnic medicine, coupled with the fact that each of her proposals is the result of comprehensive research and repeated deliberation conducted in collaboration with a team of industry experts, her proposals carry significant reference value. For instance, at last year’s Two Sessions, Lei Jufang put forward a proposal suggesting that classic prescriptions be exempted from clinical registration requirements during the registration and approval process, thereby encouraging the secondary development and formulation innovation of traditional prescriptions and enhancing patients’ compliance with these products. At the strong urging of numerous industry experts, the relevant content of this proposal has now been incorporated into the “Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

　　It is worth noting that in recent years, the national plans and outlines for the development of traditional Chinese medicine have explicitly called for promoting the development of ethnic medicines. Moreover, in the latest revised version of the National Medical Insurance Catalogue released by the state, the proportion of ethnic medicines has also increased significantly.

　　“The new version of the National Reimbursement Drug List significantly increases the proportion of ethnic medicines, which can be seen as a major signal that the country’s policies aimed at promoting the development of traditional ethnic medicine are finally taking effect. As far as I know, companies in the industry—whether they’re involved in Tibetan medicine, Uyghur medicine, or Mongolian medicine—are all extremely excited about this, because they can clearly see the tangible progress being made under these policies,” said Lei Jufang. “Facing the new round of policy benefits provided by the state, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine plans to vigorously tap into the advantages of ethnic medicines in the future, fully leveraging the unique strengths and specialties of traditional ethnic medicine in treating certain diseases—such as rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis—and capitalizing on their advantages in terms of treatment costs and therapeutic approaches. We’ll promote ethnic medicine products and treatment regimens not just through individual drugs, but via integrated solutions.” “I firmly believe that as these national policies continue to be implemented, some distinctive treatment protocols based on ethnic medicines will gradually come into greater public view,” she added.

　　Currently, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine is primarily focused on leveraging modern scientific and technological innovations to develop traditional Tibetan medicines. Its flagship product line consists of topical formulations, including pain-relief patches, Qingpeng ointment, and Bai Mai ointment. Overall, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine’s product portfolio covers a variety of specialized Tibetan medical treatment areas, such as orthopedics, neurology, gynecology, and gastroenterology, and features product lines centered around exclusive varieties or unique dosage forms. In Lei Jufang’s view, in addition to the company’s established topical product line, as its research and development efforts in ethnic medicines continue to deepen, the future prospects for oral Tibetan medicine products are equally promising. “For example, the Honghua Ruyi Pill—a product we’ve been continuously investing in developing—has demonstrated remarkably effective results in treating gynecological inflammations in women,” she said.

　　Regarding the promotion of ethnic medicines, Lei Jufang frankly admitted that, in order to reassure consumers and ensure they can use these medicines with confidence, ethnic medicine companies must significantly increase their investment in clinical research and validation. They need to put in considerable effort, rely on data to speak for themselves, and let real-life experiences do the talking.

　　Speaking about the future, Lei Jufang said: “I hope that through relentless efforts, our company can maintain its leading position in the field of ethnic medicine while also driving the development of the entire industry. But what I’m even more looking forward to is that, with the concerted efforts of numerous ethnic medicine enterprises, consumers will one day willingly embrace ethnic medicine products—ultimately bringing about improved health for consumers, peace of mind for them, and the robust growth and prosperity of the entire ethnic medicine industry.”

　　Reporting media: Shanghai Securities Journal

　　Report link: http://news.cnstock.com/event,2017lh-2017lhzbscsy-201703-4042489.htm