From tradition to modern transformation—Tibet continues to drive the high-quality development of its Tibetan medicine industry. Recently, a notable announcement from the Tibet Autonomous Region Drug Administration revealed that the second batch of 44 local standards under the "Three-Year Tibetan Medicine Standardization Action Plan" has been completed, with 18 specific standards, including "Tibetan Polygonatum," officially released. This milestone marks a profound industrial shift: Tibetan medicine, with its millennia-old heritage, is transitioning from empirical knowledge to quantifiable standards and from cultural treasure to modern industry.
As one of the "Nine Key Industries" prioritized by the autonomous region, Tibetan medicine has entered a fast track of high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. In the first 11 months of 2025, the total production value of Tibetan medicine in the region reached 3.318 billion yuan. This year, with the implementation of scientific innovation initiatives, the establishment of major industrial clusters, and breakthroughs in policy bottlenecks, this ancient industry is undergoing a silent yet profound systemic transformation, setting an exemplary model for modernizing plateau-specific industries.
**Technology-Driven Innovation: Injecting New Momentum** While the unique efficacy of Tibetan medicine has long been recognized, its material basis and mechanisms remained a "black box." Deciphering this black box and interpreting ancient wisdom through modern scientific language is the primary challenge for modernization. In 2025, Tibet launched the "Tibetan Medicine Industry Chain Scientific Innovation Plan," centered on a collaborative model of "chief scientists + industry chain enterprises."
Under the guidance of the autonomous region's Department of Science and Technology and the Health Commission, three leading enterprises—Ganlu, Cheezheng, and Shenhou—have been tasked with tackling three major industry-wide challenges: mineral drug toxicity analysis, Tibetan medicinal material processing techniques, and standardization.
Cheezheng Tibetan Medicine, a flagship enterprise, has established a national-level R&D center, undertaken 58 research projects, and developed cultivation bases for dozens of Tibetan medicinal herbs. The company has also integrated into China's "Three Combinations" evaluation pathway for traditional medicine, advanced product development, and built a full-chain quality control system. Its innovative "Macau registration + Hengqin production" model explores international expansion.
**From Lab to Market: Translating Research into Productivity** Ganlu Tibetan Medicine exemplifies successful commercialization. Collaborating with the Tibet Autonomous Region Tibetan Hospital and the Institute for Food and Drug Control, it brought two products—a disposable bloodletting kit and a head thermotherapy device—to market.
In rural areas, Ganlu's "Endangered Tibetan Medicinal Plant Cultivation" project has linked technological innovation with farmer income growth. For instance, in Nyingchi's Lang County, farmers are trained to cultivate endangered herbs like Meconopsis and Sinopodophyllum, ensuring both ecological conservation and economic benefits.
**Strengthening Foundations: Scaling Up for Sustainability** Facing dwindling wild medicinal resources, Tibet has adopted a sustainable approach balancing artificial cultivation with ecological protection. In Lhoka's Lhozhag County, villagers grow Ganoderma lucidum in forests using natural humus, replicating wild conditions while preserving fragile ecosystems.
In Nyingchi's Mainling County, a 500-acre under-forest Polygonatum cultivation base supplies high-quality raw materials to companies like Cheezheng and Ganlu. The "enterprise + base + farmer" model boosts local incomes while ensuring stable supply chains.
**Expanding the Industrial Landscape** In June 2025, Nyingchi's Tibetan Medicine Advantageous Characteristic Industrial Cluster was approved, backed by 60 million yuan in central funding and over 160 million yuan in social and local capital. Projects include a medicinal experience center, deep processing facilities, and Tibetan medicine bath promotions. The Mainling Modern Agricultural Industrial Park now spans 803,000 acres, yielding 2,600 tons annually.
Meanwhile, digitization preserves ancient wisdom. The "China Tibetan Medicine Resource Database" has cataloged 1,613 classical prescriptions, creating an invaluable digital repository for future R&D.
**Standardization and Market Integration** At a recent press conference, the Tibet Drug Administration announced the completion of 44 local Tibetan medicine standards, with 18 new standards published. The revision of the "95 National Tibetan Medicine Standards" has gained policy support, accelerating their inclusion in the national drug standard system.
Market recognition, especially医保 coverage, is pivotal. In July 2025, Tibet upgraded its医保 policy to cover 1,497 Tibetan成药, 600 Tibetan medical services, and specialized耗材 like bloodletting kits. Notably, 46 of the 98 ethnic medicines listed in the 2024 national医保目录 are Tibetan, underscoring their significance.
From microscopic analysis of ancient mineral drugs to macro-scale cultivation bases, from national standardization to医保 integration, Tibetan medicine's modernization is a holistic journey blending technology, sustainability, and market alignment. Today, with enhanced research platforms and innovative "Tibetan medicine +" models, this medical gem of the plateau shines brighter than ever.
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