11th Chinese Pharmacopoeia will include 6,400 types of medicine

The 11th edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, expected to be published in 2020, will add 800 types of medicine, increasing the total number to around 6,400, according to Zhang Wei, secretary general of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission (ChPC).

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is the nation's largest medicinal guide, with its first edition released in 1953.

Zhang said the current 10th edition includes 5,608 types of medicine, covering almost all medicinal products. The next edition will adjust the catalogue and attach more importance to the quality of medicine.

It will improve standard systems, quality control systems, and requirements for common technology in developing, producing, and using drugs, Zhang said.

The next step for the ChPC will be to establish a system for eradicating unqualified medicine standards, Zhang said.