[Spatial differences of Chinese material medicine resources species in Jilin province].

The differences in the spatial distribution of regional Chinese material medicine resources between regions are determined by differences in natural conditions and social resources among different regions. Spatiotemporal evolution of the distribution of Chinese material medicine resources is a manifestation of the development process of Chinese medicine industry in time and space. The spatiotemporal evolution of the distribution of regional Chinese material medicine resources can reveal the regularity of spatial distribution of Chinese material medicine resources. County as the basic unit of the national material medicine resources census, the difference of resource endowment is of great significance to the rational development of Chinese material medicine resources policy and the coordinated development of regional resources and environment. Based on the results of the pilot project of Jilin province, this study selected 51 counties that had completed the census of Chinese material medicine resources. According to the species of Chinese material medicine resources, we explored the diversity of Chinese material medicine resources in Jilin province by using statistical data analysis (ESDA), trend surface analysis and spatial variability function to analyze the spatial differences of Chinese material medicine resources. Chinese material medicine resources are distributed in the eastern and southeastern part of Jilin province, mostly in the Changbai Mountains. The species of Chinese material medicine resources tend to be low-value spatial aggregation; the overall cold spots are located in Changchun and Jilin city, near the administrative center, mostly urban built-up area. The rich areas of Chinese material medicine resources are rich in hot spots, mainly in broad-leaved forest. The low-abundance of Chinese material medicine resources is dominated by cultivated vegetation.

[Analysis on difference of richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources in Chongqing based on grid technology].

After the end of the national and local medicine resources census work, a large number of Chinese medicine resources and distribution of data will be summarized. The species richness between the regions is a valid indicator for objective reflection of inter-regional resources of Chinese medicine. Due to the large difference in the size of the county area, the assessment of the intercropping of the resources of the traditional Chinese medicine by the county as a statistical unit will lead to the deviation of the regional abundance statistics. Based on the rule grid or grid statistical methods, the size of the statistical unit due to different can be reduced, the differences in the richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources are caused. Taking Chongqing as an example, based on the existing survey data, the difference of richness of traditional Chinese medicine resources under different grid scale were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the 30 km grid could be selected and the richness of Chinese medicine resources in Chongqing could reflect the objective situation of intercropping resources richness in traditional Chinese medicine better.

Alternative Medicine and the Ethics Of Commerce.

Is it ethical to market complementary and alternative medicines? Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are medical products and services outside the mainstream of medical practice. But they are not just medicines (or supposed medicines) offered and provided for the prevention and treatment of illness. They are also products and services - things offered for sale in the marketplace. Most discussion of the ethics of CAM has focused on bioethical issues - issues having to do with therapeutic value, and the relationship between patients and those purveyors of CAM. This article aims instead to consider CAM from the perspective of commercial ethics. That is, we consider the ethics not of prescribing or administering CAM (activities most closely associated with health professionals) but the ethics of selling CAM.

[Study on supply and demand relation based on two stages division of market of Chinese materia medica].

The complex production processes and long industrial chain in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) market result in difficulty in Chinese market microstructure research. Based on the defining the logical relationships among different concepts. This paper divides TCM market into two stages as Chinese materia medica resource market and traditional Chinese Patent Medicines market. Under this foundation, we investigated the supply capacity, approaching rules and motivation system of suppliers in TCM market, analyzed the demand situation in the perspective of demand side, and evaluated the purchasing power in terms of population profile, income, and insurance. Furthermore we also analyzed the price formation mechanism in two stages of TCM market. We hope this study can make a positive and promotion effect on TCM market related research.

[Key content and formulation of national Chinese materia medica resources survey at county level].

According to National Census for Water, National Population Census, National Land and Resources Survey, and work experience of experimental measures for national Chinese materia medica resources(CMMR) survey,the national CMMR survey at the county level is the key point of whole survey, that includes organization and management, field survey, sorting data three key links. Organization and management works of national CMMR survey needs to finish four key contents, there are definite goals and tasks, practicable crew, preparation directory, and security assurance. Field survey works of the national CMMR survey needs to finish five key contents, there are preparation works for field survey, the choice of the key survey area (samples), fill in the questionnaire, video data collection, specimen and other physical collection. Sorting data works of the national CMMR survey needs to finish tree key contents, there are data, specimen and census results.

[Project design and implementation of the fourth national survey Chinese matiera medica resources].

The planning of the fourth national survey on Chinese materia medica resources shall follow the requirement of "carrying out the national survey on Chinese materia medica resources, strengthening the construction of Chinese materia medica resources monitoring and information network" which is according to the document issued by the State Council. Based on the responsibilities of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine which is "organizing the survey, promoting the resource-protection, keeping development and rational utilization", combined with the key problems that need to be solved in current medicinal industry, the related instructions issued by central leadership and the recommendations from NPC delegates, CPPCC members and experts, the planning shall make overall plans and top-level design for the new round of national survey on Chinese materia medica resources.

The licensing of medicines in the UK.

Before a medicinal product* can be marketed in the UK, a marketing authorisation (formerly called a 'product licence') is needed. Such an authorisation can be granted in the European Union (EU), via the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), European Commission (EC) and member state's competent authorities or, specifically in the UK, via the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on behalf of the UK licensing authority.2(-)4 Also, a change to the authorisation is needed if the licensing status of a medicine is changed; for example, from a prescription-only medicine (POM) to a pharmacy medicine (P). Here we look at the procedures involved in the licensing of medicines (including herbal and homoeopathic products) for use in the UK.

Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet.

CONTEXT: Lead, mercury, and arsenic have been detected in a substantial proportion of Indian-manufactured traditional Ayurvedic medicines. Metals may be present due to the practice of rasa shastra (combining herbs with metals, minerals, and gems). Whether toxic metals are present in both US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Ayurvedic medicines available via the Internet containing detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic and to compare the prevalence of toxic metals in US- vs Indian-manufactured medicines and between rasa shastra and non-rasa shastra medicines. DESIGN: A search using 5 Internet search engines and the search terms Ayurveda and Ayurvedic medicine identified 25 Web sites offering traditional Ayurvedic herbs, formulas, or ingredients commonly used in Ayurveda, indicated for oral use, and available for sale. From 673 identified products, 230 Ayurvedic medicines were randomly selected for purchase in August-October 2005. Country of manufacturer/Web site supplier, rasa shastra status, and claims of Good Manufacturing Practices were recorded. Metal concentrations were measured using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of medicines with detectable toxic metals in the entire sample and stratified by country of manufacture and rasa shastra status. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three of the 230 requested medicines were received and analyzed. The prevalence of metal-containing products was 20.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.2%-27.1%). The prevalence of metals in US-manufactured products was 21.7% (95% CI, 14.6%-30.4%) compared with 19.5% (95% CI, 11.3%-30.1%) in Indian products (P = .86). Rasa shastra compared with non-rasa shastra medicines had a greater prevalence of metals (40.6% vs 17.1%; P = .007) and higher median concentrations of lead (11.5 microg/g vs 7.0 microg/g; P = .03) and mercury (20,800 microg/g vs 34.5 microg/g; P = .04). Among the metal-containing products, 95% were sold by US Web sites and 75% claimed Good Manufacturing Practices. All metal-containing products exceeded 1 or more standards for acceptable daily intake of toxic metals. CONCLUSION: One-fifth of both US-manufactured and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic.

Blackie Memorial Lecture 2001. Homeopathy: progress and promise, a critical perspective.

This lecture attempts to analyse the progress made by homeopathy in recent years, by analysing consumer awareness, sales and distribution trends of homeopathic products, and research publications. Sales of homeopathic medicines are growing rapidly, but remain a very small fraction of the total pharmaceutical market. The proportion of combination to single medicines varies widely between countries. The market is concentrated in a relatively small number of the available medicines; many available homeopathic medicines are never used. Regulation of homeopathic practitioners and medicines is problematic, the legal position varies between countries. The volume of research is growing steadily. A series of recommendations is made, including modernisation of the terminology of homeopathy, training of more practitioners, a defined research agenda and integration into the medical system.