BEIJING -- China's National Medical Products Administration has decided to establish an expert panel on the study of supervision policies and technical requirements for substitutes for rare and endangered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) materials.

The expert panel is tasked with intensifying the protection of rare and endangered plants and animals used for medical purposes, and buttressing the study and leverage of alternatives for rare and endangered TCM materials.

The panel comprises 20 professionals from 16 institutions such as colleges, sci-tech research institutes and industry associations, covering the fields of TCM clinical practice, resources and pharmacology, among others, said Zhao Junning, deputy head of the administration.

Acting on a science-based, law-abiding and impartial basis, the panel will provide technical support and policy-making advice for improved oversight policies and technical requirements regarding rare and endangered TCM materials, added Zhao.