China NMPA Drug Inspection - Sichuan Shengshang Health Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. - Salvia miltiorrhiza

The Sichuan Provincial Food and Drug Administration (NMPA) issued an announcement on August 14, 2018, detailing findings from supervisory sampling inspections conducted by municipal (prefecture) food and drug administrations. This "Sixth Issue, 2018" bulletin identified 23 batches of substandard drugs from various pharmaceutical companies and distributors across the province. The inspections, which culminated in this 2018 announcement, revealed a range of quality control issues. Common violations included failures in drug properties, identification tests (such as thin-layer chromatography and microscopic features), and specific inspection parameters like total ash, sulfur dioxide residue, acid-insoluble ash, and water content. Furthermore, several batches failed content determination tests for active pharmaceutical ingredients, including naringin, Mongolian glycoside, volatile oil, puerarin, atractylodes lancea, honokiol, gentianin, and psoralen, indicating potential issues with efficacy or purity. These findings were made in accordance with the "National Drug Sampling Management Measures," "Sichuan Province's drug sampling work" requirements, and specific monographs from the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia." The regulatory framework for enforcement is based on the "Drug Administration Law" and its "Regulations for Implementation." As a result, the Provincial Administration mandated that the local food and drug administrations investigate and prosecute all illegal activities related to the production, sale, and use of these unqualified drugs. They are required to publicly disclose the handling results within three months and promptly report relevant information back to the Provincial Administration, ensuring accountability and safeguarding public health.