• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.124-142
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to learn what should be considered in [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer)] by analyzing the existing guidelines and clinical trials. Methods: The development committee searched guidelines for herbal medicinal product or gastric cancer developed already. Then, clinical trials for gastric cancer using herbal medicine were searched. The searched trials were analyzed in terms of inclusion and exclusion of participants, intervention, comparator, outcomes and trial design. Then, we compared the results of analysis with the regulations and guidelines of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to suggest the issue that we will have to consider when making the [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer]. Results: As a result, few guidelines for anti-tumor agent and clinical trial with herbal medicinal product were searched in the national institution homepage. In addition, 10 articles were searched by using the combination following search term; 'stomach neoplasm', 'herbal medicine', 'Medicine, Korean traditional', 'Medicine, Chinese Traditional', 'TCM', 'TKM', 'trial'. Most trials included gastric cancer participants with medical history of operation. The type of intervention was various such as decoction, granules, and fluid of intravenous injection. Comparators were diverse such as placebo, conventional treatment including chemotherapy and nutritional supplement. The most frequently used outcome for efficacy was quality of life. Besides, the symptom score, tumor response, and survival rate were used. Safety was investigated by recording adverse events. Conclusion: We found out some issue by reviewing the existing guidelines and comparing it with clinical trials for gastric cancer and herbal medicinal products. These results will be utilized for developing [Guideline of Clinical Trial with Herbal Medicinal Product for Gastric Cancer].

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-41
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study was to lay the groundwork for understanding the details and scope of the legal definition of medicinal products, following the changes in the relevant laws and regulations. This will let readers properly understand the origins of the ongoing conflicts on herbal drugs and new drugs from natural products that are present in the medical field and the medical industry. Possible solutions are proposed in the end. Method : I analyzed the changes in definition of medicinal products since 1945 that have been used in relevant laws and regulations(i.e. Pharmaceutical Affairs Act) and drug approval process(i.e. New Drug Application and Investigational New Drug Application). Results : Legal definition of medicinal products has changed in accordance with the changes in the pharmaceutical industry, such as the establishment of dualistic medical and pharmaceutical System and the introduction of the substance patent. Due to those changes, boundaries of Western medicinal products and health food expanded, while those of herbal medicine products relatively downscaled. Conclusion : Legal definition of medicinal products-i.e. Herbal Drugs, Crude Drugs, and New Drugs from Natural Products-should be reestablished according to academic legitimacy and dualistic medical and pharmaceutical System.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.99-112
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• 2000

Objective: This study was conducted to suggest a proper administration system of the quality of herbal medicine. Methods: Related literature was carefully inspected and discussions among specialists in the field of herbal medicine's growth, production, circulation and administration were conducted. Results: 1. The administration of herbal medicine's quality should be done in each stage of its circulation; growing stage, harvesting stage, importing stage, production stage, quality examination stage, wrapping stage, circulating stage, and administration stage. 2. A safety standard should be established for items, parts and origins of each medicinal herb. A standard for the identification of forged products and objective standards for quality discrimination should also be established. 3. A national system for the training of herbal medicine quality administration personnel and herbal medicine discrimination personnel should be established. A data base of standardized product specimens should be established and a pharmacopoeia of herbal medicine should be published as a standard of quality administration in herbal medicine. 4. Research into the following preliminary areas should be conducted to investigate quality adminstration of herbal medicine: research related to herbal medicine's raw materials and herbal medicinal drugs; quality estimation of raw materials and drugs; quality administration in oriental medical hospitals; herbal medicine administration law; herbal medicine administration organization; herbal medicinal pharmacology; and policy-related research for the quality improvement of domestically grown medicinal herbs. Conclusion: For the proper administration of herbal medicine's quality, governmental support and intensive research among specialists should be done for the supply of good quality medicinal herbs and the improvement of the efficacy of herbal medicine.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-74
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• 2015

Objectives: The main purpose of this study is to find a solution for modernized classification of herbal medicinal preparations in dual medical systems. Through this study, we expect to provide a reasonable foundation of herbal medicine for public health. Methods: We studied legal or technical terms of herbal medicinal preparations from the past regulations, and through this procedure, we could suggest clear definitions of terms for herbal medicinal preparations. We also investigated documents for approval of herbal medicinal preparation from US, EU(European union), The People's Republic of China, Japan, so that we can refer to them to revise regulation for appropriate use of herbal preparations. Results: In Korea pharmaceutical affairs act, any basis of 'Crude drugs' does not exist. But in some subordinary notifications, the way that they use the 'Natural product medicine' is used as a means of limiting basic rights of doctor or pharmacist of Korean medicine compared to doctor or pharmacist. At the same time, in subordinary notifications, provisions are vague and not enough for scientific evidence of Korean medicine. Thus, we re-categorized herbal medicinal preparations into new drugs, drugs made from herbal medicinal preparations and suggested requirements for drug approval. Conclusions: Instead of using the term 'Crude drug preparations', and we should use term 'Herbal medicinal preparations' in related act and notification. And also we suggest to amend subordinary regulations and documents for approval of herbal medicinal preparations. Through this, we can make herbal medicinal preparations be more industrialized.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.89-116
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to ascertain what should be considered in the "Guideline for Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Liver Cancer," by analyzing existing guidelines and clinical trials. Methods: Committee for the development of a guideline, consisting of 6 Korean medicine doctors, reviewed guidelines and clinical trials on using herbal medicine for treating liver cancer. The trials were analyzed in terms of inclusion and exclusion of participants, intervention, comparators, outcomes, and trial design. We then compared the results of our analysis with the guidelines to identify issues we must to consider when following the "Guideline for Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Liver Cancer." Several guidelines for antitumor agents and clinical trials on herbal medicine were obtained from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety homepage, etc. The search terms were as follows: "liver neoplasms"; "herbal medicine"; "medicine, Korean traditional"; and "medicine, Chinese Traditional.". Results: Ten articles were obtained from pubmed and Embase. There was no guideline for clinical trials on using herbal medicine for treating liver cancer. All the participants in the reviewed articles had primary liver cancer, and the type of intervention varied (e.g., decoction, patches, and capsules. The comparators included placebos and conventional treatments such as chemotherapy. The outcome assessment methods were tumor response, quality of life, survival, and liver function tests. Adverse events occuring during the trial were also evaluated. Conclusion: Findings were derived by reviewing existing guidelines and comparing them with clinical trials on liver cancer and herbal medicinal products. These results will be utilized in the development of the "Guideline for Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Liver Cancer."

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.29-43
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study is reviewing the past legal definition and regulations, to provide basis for the future desirable direction of Korean herbal pharmaceutical industry and national herbal drug policies. Methods : We reviewed how concept of herbal medicinal preparation has been utilized and changed along with various national laws and regulations. And this study also reviewed problems related herbal medicinal preparation policies. Results : Since 1990s, especially inauguration of Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) at 1998, the concept of crude drug preparation has constantly expanded and distorted the scope of herbal medicinal preparations. This resulted in decline of herbal medicinal preparation industry. Conclusions : It means policies related herbal medicinal preparation which was driven steadily during this decade have lost their consistency. Also, it restricted the various medical options which can guarantee people's health rights.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.11-37
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze and identify the problems of the changes in regulations that are relevant to approval, notification, and review of herbal medicinal preparations and crude drug preparations. Methods : I collected the regulations of approval, notification, and review of medicinal products mostly from official gazettes, analyzed enactment and amendments regarding herbal medicinal preparations and crude drug preparations, and studied it from the view point of Korean medicine field. Results : Regulations in regards to approval, notification, and review of herbal medicinal preparations and crude drug preparations were first established in 1978. Herbal drugs started to be categorized as crude drug preparations in 1981 and the regulatory outlines were completed in 1999. From 2008 to 2012, the regulatory standards that let crude drug preparations be new drugs from natural products were established. Through those procedures, the followings became crude drug preparations: 1) wholly new prescriptions that are not recorded in Korean Medical Classics, 2) prescriptions that are recorded in Korean Medical classics but prepared with new standard, composition and efficacy, 3) prescriptions that are recorded in Korean Medical classics but prepared with new formulation, and 4) herbal drugs. In case of herbal medicinal preparations, however, only regulations that are related to 1) drugs prepared with new compositions that are not recorded in Korean Medical Classics, 2) drugs with same prescription and same formulation, and 3) drugs with new formulation were arranged. Conclusions : Actual circumstances on crude drug-oriented regulations regarding approval, notification and review and future forms of prescription and drug administration in Korean Medical Institutions can be expected due to expansion in range of herbal medicinal preparations and shrink in that of on-site preparations. Reasonable improvement in efficient usage of modernized herbal medicinal preparations in Korean medical institutions and prospective cooperation from related pharmaceutical industry are needed.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 2017

Background: The current regulations regarding the storage of medicinal herbs do not define the storage temperature; instead, but the only requirement is that the plastic bags used for storing the medicinal herbs should be tightly sealed during storage. The practice of storing medicinal herbs at room temperature ($28^{\circ}C$), causes many problems, including growth of insect pests on the stored medicinal herbs. Thus, it is necessary to understand the effect of insect pests on the quality of medicinal herbs stored at room temperature ($28^{\circ}C$) for the improving the relevant regulations. Methods and Results: Cnidium rhizome and Angelica radix were infested with Lasioderma serricorne F. adults and incubated at $28^{\circ}C$ for 2.5 and 5 months. The population of L. serricorne was established rapidly, and left many holes, cadavers, and feces on the stored medicinal herbs, thereby greatly damaging the product appearance and hygiene. In addition, active ingredients of the medicinal herbs were significantly decreased, probably reducing their medicinal quality as well. Conclusions: These results indicate that the current regulations are not sufficient to prevent the establishment of storage insect pests and guarantee the quality and hygiene of stored medicinal herbs. Therefore, it is necessary to devise proper storage protocols and upgrade the current relevant regulations to maintain the quality of medicinal herbs during storage.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.181-198
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was to analyze definitions of herbal medicinal preparations, crude drug preparations, and new drugs from natural products in the relevant laws and regulations, understand the related problems, and propose directions for improvement. Methods : I analyzed the legal definitions in respect of herbal medicinal preparations, crude drug preparations, and new drugs from natural products in relevant laws and regulations since 1945, explained the problems, and suggested the solution-considering the academic stance of Traditional Korean Medicine and the dualistic medical and pharmaceutical system. Results : Regarding the current laws and regulations that are relevant to herbal medicinal preparations, we should 1) clarify the boundaries between the duty of physicians and that of pharmacists, 2) limit the principles of Korean Medicine as well as the contents of the related textbooks, 3) find a way to protect the intellectual property rights for herbal medicinal preparations, and 4) establish a separate standard for drug classification regarding herbal medicinal preparations. In case of crude drug preparations, we should 1) clarify the meaning and limitations of the phrase, "the point of view of Western medicine," and 2) establish a classification standard for drugs that are used in Korean Medicine and clarify the boundaries between herbal drug preparations and crude drug preparations. Furthermore, laws and regulations apropos of new drugs from natural products do not actually fit the concept of "new drug," and due to subordinate laws, a supplement to a new drug submission is contradictorily misclassified as a new drug from natural products. Conclusions : The problems of legal definitions of herbal medicinal preparations, crude drug preparations, and new drugs from natural products have emerged in the process of giving approval to drugs that are made of herbs and natural products under the dualistic medical and pharmaceutical System. Laws and regulations that differentiate the process of approving herbs that are used in Korean Medicine and the others should be established.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.19-26
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• 2014

Objectives : Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang) one of important herbal medicines in oriental medicine, is defined as the dried root of Aucklandia lappa (Asteraceae). Owing to the similarities in the morphology and name, Inulae Radix (Tu-Muxiang) and Vladimiriae Radix (Chuan-Muxiang) as well as Aristolochiae Radix (Qing-Muxiang) originated from other medicinal plants are often used as substitutes and/or adulterants of Aucklandiae Radix. Therefore, a reliable authentication of these herbal medicines is necessarily for the public health and prevention of misuse. Methods : 32 samples of medicinal plants supplying Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix were collected in Korea and China. The ITS (Internal transcribed spacer) nucleotide sequences of samples were determined. The PCR primers to amply DNA marker of each herbal medicine were designed basing on the specific ITS regions showing differences in the sequences among medicinal plants. Results : Primer set Al R/IS F designed in this work amplified 220 bp PCR product only in samples of Aucklandiae Radix. In contrast, primer set Ih F/IS R, Vs R/IS F, and AcR F1/Ac R amplified 250 bp product, 356 bp prouct, and 516 bp product respectively to identify Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. Conclusions : The primers designed basing on the nucleotide sequences of ITS regions appearing differenced in the sequences among medicinal plants amplified the DNA markers for the identification of Aucklandiae Radix, Inulae Radix, Vladimiriae Radix, and Aristolochiae Radix. These herbal medicines were more efficiently identified by multiplex PCR method using all primers in a single PCR process.