Lei Jufang: Ethnic medicinal resources are cause for concern and need greater protection.

　　“Ethnic medicines are an important component of China’s traditional medicine, and we must promote the protective development of ethnic medicinal resources,” urged Lei Jufang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairwoman of Qizheng Tibetan Medicine, in a proposal provided to Sohu Finance on March 2.

　　Data shows that a major characteristic of traditional ethnic medicines is their use of plant-based medicinal ingredients. In the treatment of some difficult and complex diseases, serious illnesses, and chronic conditions, these traditional ethnic medicines possess unique advantages.

　　However, at present, the development of ethnic medicine faces quite a few challenges. First, there is relatively little funding invested in its development; second, many medicinal herbs used in ethnic medicine are locally unique plant-based remedies with varying yields, which poses difficulties for the large-scale production of ethnic medicines.

　　Lei Jufang frankly admitted that the issue of ethnic medicinal resources has long been a critical “bottleneck.” Take Tibetan medicinal herbs as an example: although numerous research institutes and enterprises are engaged in diverse efforts to protect these resources, most of their work remains focused on tackling technical challenges related to the cultivation and management of endangered species and on establishing small-scale pilot bases. As a result, conservation and development are still at a relatively primitive and rudimentary stage.

　　Lei Jufang stated that recently, the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has conducted pioneering explorations into the sustainable development of native resources in Nepal and Yunnan Province. This work has provided a brand-new conceptual framework for conducting research on the sustainable development of ethnic medicinal resources.

　　Lei Jufang suggests that, first, a survey of ethnic medicinal resources should be conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the status of commonly used species as well as rare and endangered ones, and standards should be established at the very source of market access. For example, over the next three years, we should scientifically and objectively compile three major lists: species that can be developed and utilized; species that can be developed but should be subject to certain restrictions; and biological resources that are prohibited from being developed or utilized. Second, we should invite authoritative international and domestic research institutions and expert teams to join China’s efforts in the conservation and sustainable development of ethnic medicinal plant resources. Third, we should actively engage enterprises in the eco-trade sector and local residents in the production areas, ensuring that this initiative truly takes root in the local communities and the regional economy, thus laying a solid foundation for sustainable development.

　　In her proposal, Lei Jufang also suggested that vigorous support should be provided to include ethnic medicines in the national medical insurance catalog. The number of ethnic medicine varieties included in the national medical insurance catalog has been declining, failing to fully reflect the state’s commitment to supporting ethnic medicines and further widening the gap between ethnic medicines and their counterparts—traditional Chinese medicine enterprises. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen the implementation of national policies aimed at supporting ethnic medicines. In the national and relevant departmental medical insurance catalogs, greater weight should be given to newly added ethnic medicine varieties. The number of ethnic medicine varieties should be expanded proportionally to the historical growth rate of support for traditional Chinese medicines, while also broadening the existing variety forms and dosage types.

　　Regarding drug registration, Lei Jufang proposed that the state should, based on the unique characteristics of Tibetan medicine, establish technical review thresholds that are suited to the current realities of Tibetan medicine development. She also called for greater support for industrial innovation in Tibetan medicine and encouraged the reformulation of classic Tibetan medicinal products and major varieties that have shortcomings in their existing dosage forms. In clinical trials for new Tibetan medicines, based on the actual conditions of each product, a phased approach should be adopted to select certain indications for submission and approval, thereby accelerating the innovation process. Furthermore, during routine changes in dosage forms of Tibetan medicines, some validation experiments involving excipients could be exempted or reduced.

　　News source: Sohu.com

　　News link: http://business.sohu.com/20150303/n409294386.shtml?qq-pf-to=pcqq.c2c