Comparative analysis of herbal formulas in Pharmacopoeia of 4 countries in Northeast Asia

Objectives : The aim of this study was to find how Northeast Asia(Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan) supervise herbal formulas in their pharmacopoeia. Methods : We compared items, formula's effects, formulations, etc and analyzed common formulas among Northeast Asias herbal pharmacopoeia (Korea(2010), China(2010), Taiwan(2013), Japan(16th Edition), drugs in Japan OTC Drugs (2007-2008)) Results : The Korean Pharmacopoeia, the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Taiwan herbal pharmacopoeia, the japanese pharmacopoeia, drugs in Japan OTC drugs and pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China have 5, 251, 200, 20, 294, 1059 formulas, respectively. In comparison of pharmacopoeias test item, Korea and Japan has many similarity, for example, not refer to the effect of formulas. Korea and China have many inspection test of formulations in pharmacopoeia. Each country has differences in ratio of efficacy categories. For example, China especially has a higher ratio of formulas that regulate the blood and Korea has higher ratio of formulas that calm the spirit and open the sensory orifices than those of other 3 countries. There are 17 common formulas among the 4 countries and 43 common formulas among Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Comparing dosage forms, Korea, Japan, Drugs In Japan OTC drugs, Taiwan, China uses 4, 2, 14, 3, 21 formulations, respectively. Conclusions : China has many formulations and new formulas. Taiwan and Japan supervised formulas only selected by the authorities. However, Korean pharmacopoeia has similar form with Japan and need to add more formulas on demand and new formulations.