Social Co-governance of the Safety of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in China

Abstract

IntroductionIntrinsic toxicities and severe exogenous pollution have adversely affected the safety of Chinese medicinal herbs and clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the means of improving the social co-governance system for the safety of Chinese medicinal herbs. MethodsThis study analysed Chinese legislation to understand the legal attributes of Chinese medicinal herbs and used secondary data to show the seriousness of the safety issues of Chinese medicinal herbs. Then, based on the social co-governance theory, this study used causal analysis to probe the reasons for safety issues of Chinese medicinal herbs and suggest reform proposals to solve the problem. In the study process, an unstructured interview approach was adopted to discuss local protectionism and fragmented governance. ResultsChinese medicinal herbs have the dual attributes of medicines and agricultural products and are affected by intrinsic toxicities and severe exogenous pollution. This is due to an unestablished long-term transdepartmental cooperative governance system and the existence of local protectionism. Furthermore, the role of the public and trade associations in social co-governance has been dysfunctional. ConclusionsChina should construct an improved social co-governance system that includes collaboration between various government departments and the effective participation of trade associations and the public.