Tongrentang is synonymous with the best of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A pharmacy with a history of more than 300 years, Tongrentang's reputation has grown beyond the boundaries of China.

Jin Yongnian, head of the marketing department for Tongrentang, said that the company was founded in 1669 by Yue Xianyang, a doctor in the Qing Dynasty, “He founded Tongrentang under the principle of 'Ji shi yang shen,' meaning 'Help the world and bring health to the people.”

According to Jin, it was Yue Fengming, the third son, who moved the pharmacy to its Beijing's Qianmen. It was originally in Dashilan. “He then finished a book in five years, recording about 360 prescriptions that have been passed down to his family. This later became the guiding principle for Tongrentang's medicine production,” Jin narrates.

“In the book, Yue Fengming said no matter how complex the production procedures are, and no matter how expensive the materials are, Tongrentang should produce medicines strictly according to the prescription,” Jin explains how the company has gained and maintains a reputation for good quality and effective products.

In 1723, Emperor Yongzheng appointed Tongrentang the exclusive supplier of medicinal herbs and herbal medicine to the royal court. It was a privilege that Tongrentang kept until the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.

Growing beyond China

Mei Qun, general manager of Beijing Tongrentang, mentioned that the pharmacy has stores in 12 countries and regions, “including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao outside the Mainland; and Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, London in England, Vancouver in Canada, and San Francisco in America. Our products have been exported to over 40 countries and regions.”

Europe, said Mei, might be a big market for Tongrentang, “because more people there are getting interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It might be difficult to enter that market, though because of two reasons, cultural differences and the laws that governments are drafting about the importation of traditional Chinese medicinal products.”

“Chinese people have been using traditional medicine for thousands of years, while western people have only gotten to know about it in recent years. They will need time to understand and accept the medicine. Only when more people accept your medicine can you gain more customers,” Mei explains.

Mei also spoke about what effect laws might have on the export of their product. “Governments of western countries are also making laws about importing Traditional Chinese Medicine. Like ordinary people, they also haven't known the medicine for very long, so there may be some misunderstanding. But I think making laws on importing medicine is necessary. Not only will it legally protect our products, western people also have more choices when selecting medicines.” Jin Yongnian and Mei Qun (right) in front of the Tongrentang pharmacy in Beijing. (Image: Radio86)

TCM vs Western Medicine

There has been debate over which is better or more effective, TCM or western medicine. Mei suggests that combining both might be the answer. “Western and traditional medicine focus on different aspects of health, and thus cure different types of diseases. Western medicine is faster in terms of being effective, while Chinese medicine focuses on keeping the whole body healthy. I think combining both will be the perfect way to treat diseases.”

Mei speaks from personal experience. He takes Tongrentang medicine and western medicine, when he has a cold, for example and he has noticed that the combination works very well for him. The fundamental difference between western and Chinese medicine is that the former uses chemical materials and the latter uses natural materials.

"All the materials we use strictly conform to the Pharmacopeoia of the People's Republic of China. This describes in detail what materials can be used in medicine and which materials are not allowed to be used. Tongrentang uses mainly herbs, and some mineral materials. We use only little animal materials," Mei said.

Western medicine also treats only what's on the surface, Mei thinks, while Chinese medicine goes beyond that. "Western medicine doesn't focus on the cause, because in its theory, some diseases can be treated by surgery. Chinese medicine tries to avoid performing surgery."

Bestsellers

The Tongrentang offices are also a good example of period architecture. (Image: Radio86)Tongrentang has 1,100 types of medicine that have been approved for sale. The pharmacy adheres to many international standards to make sure that the medicine produced is of the highest quality.

"When selecting materials, we follow the GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) standard, which regulates the quality of Chinese medicinal herbs; during production, we use the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standard; and when selling products, we follow the GSP (Good Selling Practice) standard."

This is in addition to the ISO 9000, which Mei credits with helping their products pass quality checks for eight years in a row. Tongrentang also recently invested 600 million RMB to build a new factory in the Beijing Development Area. The new plant will be equipped with the most advanced automation and computer-controlled system.

One of the top sellers is Liu Wei Ding Huang Wan, a medicine to keep the kidney healthy. Mei describes it as a "petrol station for men, and a beauty salon for women."

Other hot items are Wu Ji Bai Feng Wan, which alleviates menstrual pain and Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, which soothes the nerves. Ban Lan Gen, which helps avoid and cure the flu, was also popular, especially during the SARS period.

Mei said that these products have sold more than 100 million RMB. The most expensive product that Tongrentang offers is An Gong Niu Huang Wan, which sells for 350 RMB per ball. It treats people who are in a coma, or those with fevers up to 40 degrees Celsius.The Tongrentang shop in Beijing. (Image: Radio86)

To highlight the efficacy of this cure, Mei tells the story of Liu Hairuo, a host of Phoenix TV who was injured in accident in Great Britain. "When she was sent home to Beijing, doctors said that she would be in a persistent vegetative state. They couldn't do anything because she had a high fever, and western medicine didn't work. Then she took seven balls of An Gong Niu Huang Wan, and her fever faded away like a miracle."