Chapter: 3741

James Smith nodded and said, "Many patients can't distinguish between your medicines having clear therapeutic effects and just surface symptoms being alleviated. If it's the former, it's okay, but if it's the latter, there may be delays in actual treatment."

He continued, "It's like that very popular kind of hemorrhoid cream from China, which some American patients have bought through online purchases or black markets, feeling good after using it. It has always hoped to be approved by FDA, but we haven't allowed its application, and you know why?"

Wei Lian was puzzled and asked, "Why is that?"

James Smith replied, "Because in our opinion, the cream contains some soothing ingredients that can alleviate pain, but these ingredients only relieve symptoms and do not truly treat the underlying disease. We're concerned that they may obscure the actual condition, leading to delays in scientific treatment."

"Furthermore, we have also studied a certain combination product that was very popular in China, which allegedly uses goldlock and honeysuckle combined with some Western active ingredients to create an effective cold medicine."

"We found through our research that the real therapeutic effect of this medicine comes from two Western active ingredients: one is acetaminophen for fever relief, and the other is a medication specifically designed to alleviate allergies, rhinitis, and coughing. These two combined can effectively treat viral infections."

James Smith then unfolded his hands, speaking seriously but with a hint of helplessness, "Mr. Wei, I'm not targeting your company or Eastern traditional medicine in general."

"But think about it: if your Nine Ginseng Medicine were to simply add some plant-based ingredients and combine them with metformin, an anti-diabetic Western medication, then claim that this is a Chinese patent medicine that can effectively lower blood sugar levels. Would we be likely to approve such a medicine for market entry?"

"That's why we are extremely cautious about Eastern medicines. Medicine is a very rigorous scientific field, and you have to be clear and transparent. You can't just arbitrarily combine things without being responsible. "

Wei Lian also felt somewhat awkward and said stubbornly, "Mr. Smith, I'm not denying what you just said. There may be some so-called Chinese patent medicines or Western-Eastern combined medicines that are indeed fraudulent. However, I think you can't just because of these cases wipe out all traditional Eastern medicines. In fact, there are many excellent medicines in Eastern medicine."

Smith nodded: "I don't deny that point, but I'm saying that even if it's an excellent traditional Eastern medicine, it must be approved by our FDA before entering the US market. So, your medicine can only enter the US market after we understand its entire composition and the purpose and potential risks of each component."

Wei Lian asked back: "What if many Chinese patent medicines have components that are too complex to explain clearly? Even if they require dozens or hundreds of components, how can you determine them one by one?"

Smith shrugged his shoulders: "If it's impossible to determine one by one, then we won't approve it."

Wei Lian asked again: "Even though I know this medicine is very effective, but because you're unable to completely understand its composition and effects, will you still refuse to let it enter the market?"

"Yes." Smith said bluntly: "Our attitude is that even if this medicine is very effective, we won't approve it until we fully understand it."

Wei Lian couldn't help but ask: "Don't you think that's also a loss for American people?"

"Loss?" Smith replied with some disdain in his tone: "To be honest, I currently know all Eastern medicines, and the US has a lot of alternatives. And they are safer and more effective!"

"It doesn't matter whether it's about headaches or internal organs, including brain, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, blood vessels, and nervous systems. You have them in your traditional Eastern medicine, but we Western medicine has them too, and our treatment methods are much better than yours!"

"Moreover! Many things we have in Western medicine that you don't have in Eastern medicine at all! For example, mental and psychological diseases, viral diseases, AIDS, autoimmune disorders such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism..."

Smith shook his head and laughed: "There are too many similar examples, I won't go into details. To sum it up, I think refusing to allow your products into our market is not a loss for us because we have better options at home!"

Wei Lian's dignity was deeply wounded by Smith's condescending tone.

He knew that Smith's attitude, although appearing respectful on the surface, had an underlying disdain and disrespect for Eastern medicine.

Seeing him belittle Eastern medicine without hesitation, Wei Lian couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Smith, you said Western medicine is better than Eastern medicine. So, can Western medicine effectively treat late-stage cancer now?"

"Late-stage cancer?" Smith's expression suddenly changed, then he spoke up: "Late-stage cancer is a medical challenge worldwide. Even with targeted drugs and no resistance, we might only be able to extend life by a few months. If it's already reached the terminal stage where the whole body has spread, even God can't do anything about it."

He flashed a brief look of sadness between his brows, then shook his head and laughed again, carrying a hint of scorn and disdain: "But even so, Western medicine is absolutely authoritative in the field of cancer!" JrNovels.com