HONG KONG—China’s leading pharmaceutical giant is set for a battle with multinational companies (MNCs) as it opens its branch in the Philippines next month, banking on the growing popularity of Chinese medicine and alternative treatments.              

TongRenTang, the oldest pharmaceutical firm in China which used to cater only to the Qing Dynasty back in 1669, is setting foot on Philippine soil with a P50-million initial investment by February.             

Within five years, TongRenTang hopes to have at least five branches in the Philippines, said Henry Tay, one of its investors. It hopes to establish two branches in Manila, and one each in Baguio, Cebu and Davao.    

Tay said TongRenTang’s entrance to the Philippine market hopes to eliminate the bad reputation that Chinese medicine has attained because of unregulated drugs being sold in the Ongpin district in Manila.           

“These products are unregulated and they are giving Chinese medicine a bad name,” Tay told some Filipino reporters in an interview in Hong Kong.        

He said the Philippines is a good market for Chinese medicine, considering there are 2 million Chinese in the country and alternative modalities are becoming more popular among Filipinos.        

TongRenTang has applied for accreditation at the Department of Health (DOH) and expects its approval soon. Tay said the company will seek the assistance of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines in getting the Arroyo government to go against unregulated Chinese medicine.             

The company has 1,500 medicines that come in tablets, capsules and mixed-herbs forms. Some herbs are mixed in front of patients after diagnosis by a Chinese doctor. Tay said all TongRenTang’s doctors are trained in Beijing.   

Doctors also perform acupuncture which is recognized as an effective modality by the World Health Organization.   

At the Philippine branch, Tay said only Chinese doctors would be treating patients to ensure quality of service. They will be assisted by an interpreter to communicate with Filipino patients.       

Tay said TongRenTang would initially partner with the Asian Hospital to promote its treatment modalities with the hope that “others will follow.”  

He sees introduction of ancient Chinese medicine in the Philippine market as resulting in the lowering of prices of drugs offered by MNCs.   

“If they [MNCs] think we are a threat they will try to lower their prices,” Tay said.   

After the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, TongRenTang diversified its business and opened its services to the general public. Its original owners voluntarily turned over the company to the Chinese government in response to the challenge of Chairman Mao Zedong for private companies to help his ailing administration.               

Since then it has expanded its operations in Europe, America, and in various parts of Asia.

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HONG KONG—China’s leading pharmaceutical giant is set for a battle with multinational companies (MNCs) as it opens its branch in the Philippines next month, banking on the growing popularity of Chinese medicine and alternative treatments.