The release date of this article is July 26, 2007.
The relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese medicine has long been a topic of debate. However, the issue of "waste medical drugs" remains a serious problem within the industry. In many areas of TCM, such as the use of proprietary medicines by clinicians without proper syndrome differentiation, or the lack of involvement of TCM professionals in drug research and development, there are significant gaps. Many researchers in pharmaceutical companies come from medicinal chemistry backgrounds rather than TCM, and hospital pharmacists often lack solid knowledge of medical theory. This misalignment leads to improper usage, which can have severe consequences, even resulting in the loss of both medicine and trust.
This crisis in credibility has created challenges for TCM globally. For example, in the early 1990s, the "Slim Pills" exported from Hong Kong to Europe caused serious adverse reactions, eventually leading to the Aristolochic Acid Incident. The U.S. FDA banned the import of products containing aristolochic acid, followed by several other countries, causing a worldwide health scare. Similarly, in 2003, the Longdan Xiegan Pill incident in China raised doubts about the safety of TCM, breaking the perception that herbal remedies are inherently safe.
The formula of Slim Pills included substances like amphetamine and belladonna extract, which do not align with TCM principles. Patients used these pills for extended periods, violating the rule that TCM treatments should be adjusted based on individual conditions. This misuse highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment guidance.
The Japanese Xiaochaihu Tang incident serves as a cautionary tale. Despite initial recognition of its efficacy, reports of adverse effects led to a nationwide ban. This event significantly impacted the sales of TCM preparations in Japan and demonstrated the risks of neglecting proper clinical monitoring and theoretical guidance.
Experts emphasize that the modernization of TCM must go beyond pharmacological studies and include a stronger focus on theoretical development. While current drug approval processes prioritize pharmacological data, they often overlook the need for comprehensive clinical solutions. This imbalance can lead to the reduction of TCM to mere botanical medicine, losing its unique theoretical foundation.
In recent years, global demand for botanical drugs has surged, but China's share in the international market remains low. Despite being the birthplace of TCM, China struggles to compete with foreign pharmaceutical giants. However, TCM possesses a unique advantage: its rich theoretical framework, developed over thousands of years, offers a depth of knowledge that cannot be easily replicated.
To ensure the sustainable growth of TCM, it is essential to bridge the gap between medical theory and practice. Clinicians should be better trained in pharmacology, while pharmacists should strengthen their understanding of medical principles. Only through this integration can TCM maintain its identity and continue to thrive globally.
As the saying goes, “Physicians must understand the nature of medicine to serve effectively.†This reflects the inseparable bond between medical science and pharmacology in TCM. Without a strong theoretical foundation, TCM risks becoming just another form of herbal medicine, losing its distinctiveness and long-term value.
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