Dynamic of modernizing traditional Chinese medicine and the standards system for its development

This article reviewed the process of Traditional Chinese Medicine's modernization on a global scale. This process is motivated by the potential need for traditional medicine as a result of health transitions and increasing drug R&D based on know-how from TCM. The established standards system for modern medicine serves as a basic model yet has limitations in terms of comprehensively evaluating TCM. Spurred by policy committments, research to provide supplements suited to TCM's features and principles is underway. Advanced and interdisciplinary technology and methodology is expected to play an essential role in TCM development.

GMP implementation in China: A double-edged sword for the pharmaceutical industry

China's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards that mainly parallel WHO standards were made compulsory in 2004. However, GMP implementation had both positive as well as negative impacts on the pharmaceutical industry, with negatives including pharmaceutical companies suffering economic hardships, poor execution of GMP standards, and sequent health scares. This report briefly describes the problems with GMP implementation in China.