Discussion on Current National Standards for Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing Granules / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Strengthening the standard formulation and quality management of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） dispensing granules is an important part of the strategic planning for the development of TCM in China. In order to examine the clinical application and overall quality control of the existing national standards for TCM dispensing granules， this study classified and summarized the varieties in the existing standards， analyzed their clinical applicability， and discussed the characteristics of the test methods for identification， content determination and specific chromatogram/fingerprint. It was found that the coverage of the existing standards was inadequate in terms of quantity， and it was even weaker in the aspects of therapeutic efficacy， herb family， processing method and preparation method of TCM dispensing granules. It was concluded that the characteristics of national standards in test methods were summarized as follows：guided by clinical application， based on the reference system， taking specific chromatogram as a breakthrough， so as to improve the overall quality control of TCM dispensing granules. It is suggested that the coverage of national standards should be subsequently expanded to meet the needs of market development. In order to enhance clinical applicability， the content of national quality standards should be increased， including increasing variety diversity to meet the needs of clinical application， raising the standard requirements to improve the clinical medication experience， and strengthening effectiveness research to highlight clinical efficacy. At the same time， the accessibility of regulatory inspection is enhanced， the rules for the management of varieties without national standards are promulgated to lay the foundation for the healthy and orderly development of TCM dispening granule industry.