On the afternoon of June 24, the "Guanghua Xiao Chai Hu Granules – Beijing Tongrentang Foshan Chain Research-Oriented Pharmacy Real-World Study Project" deployment meeting was held at the headquarters of Beijing Tongrentang Foshan Chain Pharmacy. This marks another significant deployment of the project in Guangdong following its launch in Guangzhou, signaling that the nation's first OTC drug research-oriented pharmacy project has officially entered the Foshan market.

The meeting was opened by Yang Haiying, Vice President of Minet. Jiao Qiming, Deputy Director of Minet's Retail Resource Platform, provided an in-depth interpretation of the project background and strategic value of the research-oriented pharmacy real-world study.

▲Yang Haiying, Vice President of Minet (left); Jiao Qiming, Deputy Director of Minet's Retail Resource Platform (right)

He pointed out that the "Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Pharmaceutical Retail Industry," jointly issued by nine government departments including the Ministry of Commerce, has clearly defined the future direction of pharmacies as "innovative health services." The greatest opportunity for pharmacies lies in achieving the ultimate integration of professionalism and service—and the "research-oriented pharmacy" model precisely meets this need, establishing long-term, interactive, value-co-creative partnerships with customers built on trust and data.

Jiao Qiming believes that the value of "research-oriented pharmacies" extends beyond transforming pharmacies from mere "drug-selling outlets" into "health hubs." It also elevates the professional capabilities of store managers and staff from "drug salespersons" to "clinical research professional collaborators," broadening their career development pathways.

The "research-oriented pharmacy" concept was first championed by Professor Zhang Junhua, Vice President of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It refers to high-caliber pharmacies that, built upon a foundation of high-quality pharmaceutical supply, possess the conditions and capabilities for health-related information collection and medication feedback data collection, and are able to conduct real-world research on traditional Chinese medicine.

In April 2025, the group standard "Specification for the Construction of Research-Oriented Pharmacies for Clinical Efficacy Data Collection of Traditional Chinese Medicine" was officially released. In August of the same year, the Modern Chinese Medicine Haihe Laboratory, Baiyunshan Guanghua Pharmaceutical, and Minet reached a tripartite strategic cooperation, with the first batch of 45 research-oriented pharmacies officially designated nationwide, and Baiyunshan Guanghua Xiao Chai Hu Granules selected as the first demonstration product. The convening of this Foshan launch meeting represents a major step in deepening this innovative model across Guangdong Province.

Rao Hongyu, Technical Specialist at the Drug Research Institute of Guangzhou Baiyunshan Guanghua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation titled "Uniting Around a Classic – Xiao Chai Hu Granules Leading the Way to Build the No. 1 Classic Formula Brand," covering the origins, market performance, scientific research, and achievements of Xiao Chai Hu Granules.

▲Rao Hongyu, Technical Specialist at the Drug Research Institute of Guangzhou Baiyunshan Guanghua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Rao Hongyu explained that the formula of Xiao Chai Hu Granules originates from the "Xiao Chai Hu Tang" (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases (Shang Han Za Bing Lun) by Zhang Zhongjing, the medical sage of the Eastern Han Dynasty nearly 2,000 years ago. It has the effects of relieving exterior syndromes, dispersing fever, soothing the liver, and harmonizing the stomach. In the market, Xiao Chai Hu Granules has achieved single-product sales exceeding RMB 1 billion, firmly holding the industry leadership position. In Guangdong Province alone, annual sales at physical pharmacies exceed 200 million packs.

In terms of scientific research, Guanghua Pharmaceutical has promoted the establishment of a quality standard system for Xiao Chai Hu using TCM fingerprint chromatographic technology, and the development of a children's version of Xiao Chai Hu Granules is also underway. The launch of this research-oriented pharmacy project represents an attempt by Xiao Chai Hu Granules to enhance new quality productive forces.

Kong Xiangwen, General Manager of Beijing Tongrentang Foshan Chain Pharmacy Co., Ltd., delivered the mobilization and deployment address. He set forth requirements from three aspects: First, attach great importance ideologically and fully recognize the significance of participating in this national-level research project; second, strictly standardize operational procedures to ensure every step complies with GCP standards and the trial protocol; third, maintain effective communication and proactive feedback to ensure the smooth progress of the project.

▲Kong Xiangwen, General Manager of Beijing Tongrentang Foshan Chain Pharmacy Co., Ltd.

In the subsequent specialized practical training session, the Guangzhou EBM team provided systematic training to store personnel. The training covered modules including the fundamentals of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), trial protocols and procedures, informed consent essentials and recruitment scripts, study workflows, and store manager DCT system operation guidelines.

During the DCT system hands-on exercise, participants simulated the complete process of informed consent signing, patient enrollment, and screening questionnaire completion, and engaged in Q&A sessions on practical issues that may arise during actual operations. Concurrently, a dedicated marketing communication meeting was held, focusing on precise alignment around patient recruitment pacing, store-level marketing coordination plans, brand co-promotion, and resource integration.

The successful convening of this Foshan launch meeting is a critical step in the deep advancement of the "Guanghua Xiao Chai Hu Granules Research-Oriented Pharmacy Real-World Study Project" across Guangdong Province. Earlier, six stores of Beijing Tongrentang Guangzhou Chain were selected among the first batch of "research-oriented pharmacies."

Now, with Beijing Tongrentang Foshan Chain taking up the baton, the project is spreading like wildfire to more regions. When consumers receive a box of Xiao Chai Hu Granules at the pharmacy, what they hold is not only a classic formula—it is also a significant step in the modernization and future-oriented development of traditional Chinese medicine.