Our reporter Liu Huan is a trainee reporter He Wangjuan

  With the optimization of epidemic prevention and control policies and the arrival of winter, the demand for related drugs has increased significantly.

A reporter from "Securities Daily" learned from a recent interview that at present, the sales of Chinese herbal medicines with the effects of clearing away heat and detoxification, cough and phlegm are accelerating, and the market prices of forsythia, honeysuckle, isatis root, patchouli and other medicinal materials have nearly doubled within half a month.

  With the continuous increase of market demand, many listed companies of cold medicine and antipyretic medicine have also increased their production efforts.

However, a number of listed companies interviewed by the Securities Daily said that the current procurement of medicinal materials is relatively smooth, the inventory is relatively sufficient, and there will be measures to deal with price increases.

  The price of medicinal materials is rising

  "The price of heat-clearing and detoxifying medicinal materials has risen significantly recently, mainly involving honeysuckle, forsythia, isatis root, skullcap, etc." Zheng Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of Yaotong.com, told the "Securities Daily" reporter.

  The price monitoring data of SunSirs shows that due to the impact of the epidemic demand, there are many manufacturers looking for goods, the supply of goods is sold smoothly in batches, the market has soared all the way, and the holders of goods are reluctant to sell.

As of December 14, the price of honeysuckle in Hebei Province ranged from 200 yuan/kg to 210 yuan/kg, an increase of 46.43% compared with the beginning of the month; Compared with the increase of 77.55%.

According to the data from Tiandi.com, the price of patchouli rose from 11 yuan/kg to 22 yuan/kg, an increase of 100%.

  Regarding the price increase, Zhao Zilong, manager of Gansu Longcuiyuan Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Technology Co., Ltd., analyzed in an interview with a reporter from the "Securities Daily", "With the optimization of the epidemic prevention and control policy, the demand for seasonal standing drugs in winter has increased significantly. The centralized procurement of raw materials of traditional Chinese medicinal materials by drug manufacturers has led to the opening of the "fast consumption" mode from raw materials to finished products to chain pharmacies, and the prices of traditional Chinese medicinal materials for clearing away heat and detoxification have continued to rise."

  According to statistics from Longcuiyuan’s Chinese herbal medicine industry service platform, recently, Hangzhou Mintai, Runde Pharmaceutical, Shandong Baicheng and other medicinal material companies and pharmaceutical factories have put honeysuckle, forsythia, isatis root, patchouli, licorice, scutellaria baicalensis, burdock seed The purchase of medicinal materials such as heat-clearing and detoxifying has increased significantly.

  "The price is one price per day, such as 'cough-relieving medicine' licorice, 'heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine' Radix Isatidis, 'wind-dispelling and heat-dispelling medicine' burdock seed, etc. The prices have changed several times in the past week." Zhao Zilong said.

  In addition, insufficient inventory of some medicines is also the main reason for the skyrocketing prices.

Zheng Zhiwen told reporters: "Forsythia has a relatively small inventory due to production reduction and other reasons in recent years. But other than that, the supply of most other medicinal materials is relatively sufficient, which can basically meet market demand."

  Pharmaceutical companies: the current procurement is smooth and in stock

  Forsythia, honeysuckle, Huang Cen and other heat-clearing and detoxifying medicinal materials are the main components of various Chinese patent medicines recommended in the "Guidelines for Home Medicine Intervention of Patients Infected with New Coronavirus", including Lianhua Qingwen Capsules/Granules, Yinqiao Jiedu Pills/Granules, Tanreqing Capsules, Shufengjiedu Capsules/Granules, Jinhua Qinggan Granules, Yinqiaojiedu Granules, Jinyebaidu Granules, Lanqin Oral Liquid, Compound Qinlan Oral Liquid, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Chai Qin Qingning Capsules, Xiao Bupleurum Granules etc., the manufacturer involves many listed companies.

  Recently, with the continuous increase of market demand, many listed companies of cold medicine and antipyretic medicine are also actively producing at full capacity.

  The relevant person in charge of Guizhou Bailing told reporters: "Recently, the sales volume of the company's core products has increased significantly, and the sales volume of Kesuting Syrup, Pediatric Chaigui Antipyretic Granules, Jingan Capsules, Shuangyang Houbitong Granules, and Vitamin C Yinqiao Tablets ranks first. The demand in the national market continues to increase, and the market is in short supply. At present, the company's product orders are already waiting in line for delivery."

  China Resources Sanjiu also stated that after entering the fourth quarter, the season of high incidence of colds will be combined with the impact of the epidemic. The demand for cold medicines will be large and the orders will be sufficient. The company's 999 Ganmao Ling is already in full production.

  At present, the price increase of various heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese medicinal materials in the upstream has not yet been transmitted to the procurement level of listed companies.

  He Shi, Secretary to the Board of Directors of Fangsheng Pharmaceutical, said in an interview with a reporter from the Securities Daily: "Currently, the price of upstream raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine has risen to a certain extent, but the procurement is relatively smooth. In addition, the company's commonly used Chinese medicinal materials will ensure strategic inventory and use off-season procurement. and storage to smooth out fluctuations in costs.”

  The above-mentioned relevant person in charge of Guizhou Bailing told the "Securities Daily" reporter: "At present, the company's raw material inventory of related products is relatively sufficient, which can support the current production expansion needs. The company has built a planting base of more than 250,000 mu of Chinese herbal medicines, and there are sufficient stocks every year. Safety stock preparation, under the premise of ensuring the safety stock, at the same time carry out rolling procurement and continuous replenishment.”

  On December 15, Baiyunshan disclosed in a relevant announcement that the company has been paying attention to the price of raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine, and has not seen a significant increase in the price of Chinese medicinal materials for the time being.

The company has established a unified procurement platform for raw materials and excipients of traditional Chinese medicine. According to production needs, it can centrally purchase from qualified suppliers through bidding or targeted procurement, thereby improving bargaining power, effectively ensuring the quality and supply of Chinese medicinal materials and controlling production costs.

  Zhendong Pharmaceutical, which owns a 200,000-acre forsythia wild rearing base, once publicly stated that the current market price of forsythia is high, but its forsythia can meet market demand.

(Securities Daily)