China NMPA Drug Inspection - Anhui Zhongmeitang Traditional Chinese Medicine Pieces Co., Ltd. - Smilax glabra

The Ningxia Food and Drug Administration announced on June 29, 2018, the outcomes of its regional drug quality sampling inspections. Out of 119 batches covering 41 drug varieties, 8 varieties comprising 11 batches were found to be non-compliant. Manufacturers identified with non-compliant products include Ningxia Mingde Traditional Chinese Medicine Pieces Co., Ltd., Ningxia Northwest Medicinal Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Ningxia Baicaowang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Anguo Juyitang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Baoji Kexing Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Pingliang Xinyuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Prepared Slices Co., Ltd., and Ningxia Wuma Tianqi Traditional Chinese Medicine Slices Co., Ltd. The primary issues detected related to quality deviations in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pieces, such as excessive sulfur dioxide residue in Bletilla striata, incorrect properties or appearance for items like Schisandra chinensis and Clematis chinensis, and failures in content determination for Schisandra chinensis, Rubia cordifolia, and Citrus medica. Additionally, high total ash content was noted in Piper longum. These non-conformities were evaluated against the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 Edition) and the Ningxia Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Standards (1997 Edition). Regulatory authorities at the municipal and county levels are undertaking investigations and implementing necessary actions concerning these non-compliant drugs.