Tongrentang Group, a long-time brand-name producer of traditional Chinese medicines, is enjoying new momentum after acquiring its first hospital.
　　The Tongrentang Hospital, which treats the patients mainly by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), began its operation last week in Beijing.

"With the government lifting its rigid controls on drug use and hospitals, Tongrentang will be engaged in the full line of TCM production, retail and therapy," spokesman Jin Yongnian said.

The company took over the site of the former Hospital of TCM in the Chongwen District. Tongrentang plans to build a new 100-million-yuan (US$12 million) hospital within three years, Jin said.

Besides the traditional Chinese therapies, the hospital will put to use chemical examinations and body inspection equipment as well to provide better treatment.

The medical company has an extraordinary history, with the founder claiming to have been a leading doctor for the emperors in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Tongrentang has hired TCM experts since 1996 to work in its drugstores to provide advice to consumers, a practice that increased the stores' popularity.

"We found the in-shop doctors were not enough and the establishment of our own hospitals will better serve the patients and the group's future development," Jin said.

The growing presence of TCM across the world is hindered by the lack of certification from foreign drug administrations, largely because few accurate statistics and standards are available on TCM's effectiveness.

The new hospital will provide more practical data on TCM applications, and this will make it more convenient for Tongrentang to improve drugs and develop new ones.

Meanwhile, Jin said, the group is using advanced equipment to inspect the response to drugs rather than relying solely on watching, smelling and tasting.

Tongrentang wants to become the No 1 TCM company on Earth and it has set up outlets in Japan, Thailand, Singapore and United Kingdom. The United States and Europe will be next.

Now that it owns a hospital, Tongrentang can send its doctors abroad to enhance the world's knowledge of TCM, Jin said.

The group's domestic listed company Tongrentang Holding Co Ltd (share code: 600085 Shanghai) hopes to see a 20-per cent rise in net profits this year, with earnings expected to reach 176.5 million yuan (US$21.3 million).
　　
　　From ChinaDaily.com.cn