Lei Jufang: A Guardian of Ethnic Medicine

　　A simple grayish-white shirt, well-fitting cloth shoes, and grayish-white hair casually tied back—no makeup applied.

　　I met Lei Jufang at a vegetarian restaurant in Beijing. This female entrepreneur, whose founded company is valued at tens of billions, exudes absolutely no air of arrogance. Now well past the age of fifty, she seems more like a warm and approachable elder—peaceful and serene.

　　“As far as wealth is concerned, I’ve never really felt that I’d achieved much success. But as a business, you’re always in a constant state of making choices—choices that could turn good things into bad ones, or leave you unable to recognize certain things. So you have to remind yourself of this constantly,” she said.

　　Guardian of Ethnic Medicine

　　Everyone at the company calls Lei Jufang “Engineer Lei” because she’s an engineer. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she hasn’t relied on exceptional marketing strategies—but deep down, she possesses an extraordinary tenacity.

　　It was through serendipity that Lei Jufang became connected with Tibet. It was precisely this experience in Tibet that led her to frequently observe local doctors treating Tibetan villagers. She witnessed firsthand how seemingly ordinary little pills and patches could effectively cure many complex and challenging illnesses that had long baffled even the most skilled physicians. At the same time, she was deeply captivated by the traditional Tibetan medicine—a body of knowledge rich in wisdom and science.

　　“Tibet is truly a magical place—not just for its pristine, natural medicinal ingredients, but also—and perhaps even more so—for its rich culture and proven therapeutic efficacy, which have earned Tibetan medicine its status and dignity,” Lei Jufang told a reporter from the Economic Reference News. On one hand, she noted that the region boasts such abundant Tibetan medicinal resources, and Tibetan medical external treatments—such as those for sprains, bruises, and rheumatic pain—are remarkably effective. These treatments include not only topical applications of herbal liquids but also medicinal baths, patches, rubs, and hot compresses. On the other hand, however, these therapeutic approaches are quite inconvenient to use in modern society, and most Tibetan medical practices are passed down orally within local communities, lacking the conditions necessary for large-scale dissemination.

　　Lei Gong told the reporter that from that moment on, she decided to found Qizheng Tibetan Medicine—essentially committing herself to a single mission: using modern industrial technology to improve Tibetan medicine and build a bridge that will carry Tibetan medicine and Tibetan medical culture even further.

　　“When it comes to making products, in the end, what really matters is integrity. Only when a company’s philosophy and products are both upright can it truly thrive and build a brand that genuinely stands the test of time and gains a foothold in the market,” said Engineer Lei.

　　As the ancient military strategist Sun Tzu once said: “In warfare, victory is achieved through the unexpected; alignment with the conventional ensures stability.” The art of combining the unusual and the conventional is inexhaustible, like rivers and seas. Recalling the first time we promoted Qi Zheng’s pain-relief patches, Engineer Lei told us that after the new product was launched, there wasn’t a good marketing strategy in place—so the only option was to give it away for free as trial samples. Considering athletes’ unique training demands, their need for pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatments was particularly evident. This became the key to unlocking Engineer Lei’s market promotion efforts. From the Bayi Basketball Team all the way to the General Administration of Sport of China, Engineer Lei carried these miraculous ointments, staying in the basement of the Administration’s guesthouse, often lodging there for five or six days at a time. He’d meet with team doctors, talk with coaches, and guide athletes on how to use the medication.

　　“To my delight, wherever hospitals and athletes—wherever there’s a need—we deliver our medicines. In the end, over 80% of our orders came from them. This clearly shows that efficacy is the best advertisement for our products,” Lei Jufang told reporters. That’s precisely why, for so many years, Qizheng Tibetan Medicine has consistently adhered to a development path centered on classic prescriptions, authentic medicinal materials, innovative manufacturing processes, scientific validation, and widespread public outreach—providing consumers with safe, effective, genuine, and high-quality Tibetan medicines and eco-friendly health products. It’s precisely this steady, step-by-step approach that has laid the foundation for our corporate culture, built upon integrity and trust in our products.

　　Balancing Between “Business” and “Ethics”

　　Lei Jufang often says that her greatest regret is being too busy—she simply doesn’t have enough time to slow down and truly reflect on life. In the course of running her business, she frequently reminds herself of the principle of cause and effect. “No matter what kind of corporate culture or business you’re in—whether it’s a state-owned enterprise or a private one—you must believe in cause and effect. Whether you’re leading a state-owned or a private company, you need to maintain inner peace and tread carefully, always keeping in mind your bottom lines and principles,” Lei told a reporter from the Economic Reference News. Some people may think that only leaders of state-owned enterprises harbor personal motives, since state assets are collectively owned by the nation, while private-enterprise bosses are unconstrained. But that’s not actually the case. The larger a private enterprise grows, the more likely it is for conflicts to arise between the boss’s personal interests and the company’s development. At such times, no matter what choice you make, you must ensure that your starting point is always pure and good; only with wholesome causes can you reap wholesome results.

　　Especially when making numerous choices, it’s crucial to maintain clear boundaries between business considerations and ethical principles. Engineer Lei shared an incident: Several years ago, a renowned expert in Tibet developed a medicine primarily made from snow lotus, intended for treating burns. The medicine showed remarkably effective results, had already completed clinical trials, and was ready for mass production. The expert hoped to partner with Qizheng, offering a very low transfer cost. Yet despite its seemingly highly profitable nature, Qizheng ultimately decided against pursuing this project.

　　“The main reason is that the snow lotus, as a medicinal herb, is endangered in Tibet. Once Qizheng starts mass production, demand for snow lotus will inevitably surge. Many local residents, driven by economic gain, will rush to collect it indiscriminately, thereby accelerating the depletion of this precious resource. Alternatively, they may end up having to settle for substitutes and lower standards—this would be irresponsible toward consumers,” she said.

　　“Snow lotus may grow at altitudes of four or five thousand meters—once you pull one out, it’s gone, and it’ll take years for it to grow back.” In Lei Jufang’s view, when producing Tibetan medicine, it’s essential to consider the impact on the environment. One cannot let their profits come at the expense of harming the environment—this is precisely the kind of judgment and trade-off that a company must make.

　　Lei Jufang told reporters that she often finds herself wondering: On this beautiful and magical Tibetan land, what more can I do for it? It is precisely this unwavering commitment that has enabled Lei Jufang and the company she leads to reap abundant rewards along the way. “Qizheng Tibetan Medicine” has not only won the International Invention Gold Award but has also been named a key brand in the over-the-counter drug category, ranked first in the Chinese herbal surgery segment of the inaugural OTC product ranking, and become a nationally renowned trademark. Beyond these achievements, Lei Jufang continues to pursue her philanthropic endeavors, dedicating herself to the field of Tibetan medicine for over a decade through the "Guangcai Cause." From donating to road construction and supporting orphans and the disabled to actively participating in the Guangcai Cause, she has established a sustained mechanism within her company for assuming social responsibility. In 2007, under the China Guangcai Cause Foundation, she set up the “Special Fund for Tibetan Cultural Heritage and Preservation.” To date, Qizheng has cumulatively invested nearly 90 million yuan in various public welfare initiatives—including disaster relief, poverty alleviation, medical care in western and Tibetan regions, and education. In 2003, she built Qizheng’s third pharmaceutical factory in Yuzhong County, a nationally designated impoverished county. Compared to building the factory in other more developed regions, locating it in Yuzhong means Qizheng must allocate an additional 6 million yuan each year. Over the past several years, Qizheng has consistently been recognized by the government as a tax-compliant and trustworthy enterprise, and was recently listed among the top 100 Chinese private enterprises in terms of tax compliance.

　　The Overlooked Treasure

　　“In addition to Tibetan medicine, we’ve recently been studying and examining many other ethnic medicines—truly remarkable,” Lei Jufang told a reporter from the Economic Reference News. Her connection with Tibetan medicine gradually sparked her interest in traditional ethnic medicine. She has spent considerable time visiting various ethnic groups and local medicinal practices, which, both in terms of efficacy and cost, show great potential for development and promotion. “I hope that Qizheng can gradually take on this mission—to not only promote Tibetan medicine but also progressively bring more high-quality medicines from other ethnic groups to the market,” said Engineer Lei.

　　However, it’s important not to overlook the fact that, in her view, ethnic medicines are an essential component of China’s traditional medical system. Yet at present, the development of ethnic medicine faces numerous 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 highly variable yields, which poses difficulties for the large-scale production of these medicines.

　　She frankly told reporters that the resource issue surrounding ethnic medicines has long been considered a critical “bottleneck.” Taking Tibetan medicinal herbs as an example, although numerous research institutes and enterprises are engaged in diverse efforts to conserve and study these resources, most of these efforts remain at a relatively primitive and rudimentary stage—focusing primarily on tackling technical challenges related to the cultivation and management of endangered species and establishing small-scale pilot bases for conservation and development.

　　How can we ensure the sustainable development of ethnic medicinal resources? Lei Jufang told reporters that, first, we should conduct surveys of ethnic medicinal resources to gain a comprehensive understanding of the status of commonly used species as well as rare and endangered ones, and establish standards 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 are suitable for development and utilization; 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 protecting and promoting the sustainable development of ethnic medicinal 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 and fosters sustainable development among local communities and the broader industrial economy. In Lei Jufang’s view, we should strongly support the inclusion of ethnic medicines in the national medical insurance catalog, thereby further narrowing the gap between ethnic medicines and their counterparts in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.

　　A New Internet Initiative: “Pain Manager”

　　"Some of my old classmates, many of whom have already reached retirement age, are now incredibly active on WeChat—something that’s quite different from the past. It really makes me realize that the internet is constantly reshaping people’s lifestyles and habits," Lei Jufang told a reporter from the Economic Reference News.

　　Lei Jufang told reporters that Qizheng has always been deeply rooted in the pain management field and enjoys high product recognition. Her next step is to integrate internet-based thinking with industrial development, creating a more comprehensive new industrial chain—something akin to a “Pain Management Butler.” “For example, through such an internet-based approach, patients could quickly make self-diagnostic assessments and receive personalized treatment recommendations and medication advice tailored to their symptoms,” Lei Jufang said. In fact, many elderly people share common pain patterns across different body parts. “I hope to build an internet platform that brings together individuals with similar pain symptoms or who are of the same age,” she explained. “They could then serve as mutual advisors, forming a vibrant online community. At the same time, they’d also have access to rapid expert consultations, enabling them to develop a holistic treatment plan—perhaps one that spans seven days and includes external therapies like acupressure at specific points.”

　　In her view, once such a community is established, it can gradually help families reduce difficulties and troubles, thereby improving their quality of life—especially since there are many people who share similar experiences. They can exchange ideas with one another and enjoy strong social connections. “I hope that in the future, as the internet transforms our lifestyles, Qizheng will be able to leverage the internet to expand the reach of traditional ethnic medicine and provide more systematic and effective assistance to a greater number of people,” said Lei Jufang.

　　Reporting Media: Economic Reference News

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