TCM warning for travelers to US

Experts warn Chinese citizens traveling to the US to be careful with their traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) after two Chinese tourists were deported in Los Angeles for carrying TCM tablets that allegedly contained cocaine.

A Chinese man surnamed Wu and his daughter were barred from entering the US for the next five years after trying to bring in Compound Liquorice Tablets, a TCM cough remedy, for a friend in Los Angeles, reported the New York-based news portal worldjournal.com on Tuesday.

Wu and his daughter were also reportedly kept in detention for more than 10 hours by the customs at Los Angeles International Airport. The 1,600 tablets carried by Wu were confiscated as an inspection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marked them as contraband as they were detected to contain cocaine.

Their friend, surnamed Yu, claimed that the tablets were prescription drugs in China and were meant to treat her daughter's illness.

The incident shocked many Chinese Net users and sparked heated discussion on the regulation of TCM products.

Zhao Guohua, a visiting professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times that the reaction was fair according to US law, whereas the Chinese tourists acted out of their knowledge of Chinese medicine regulations.

Drugs with "a high potential for abuse" cannot be imported into the US. Tourists can only carry enough for personal use with a prescription if they need those drugs, according to the US Customs and Border Protection.

Tourists are also required to contact the Fish and Wildlife Service beforehand if they carry any parts or products from wild animals.

"Prescriptions for TCM tablets from China are not licensed by the FDA in the US. Chinese medicines should play by the international rules. I suggest Chinese authorities warn outbound tourists in advance of the consequence of carrying certain TCM products," said Zhao.

He further recommended that pharmaceutical companies mark the ingredients of TCM products on the packaging, especially those that contain contraband substances.

Cui Yongqiang, an associate professor at Guang'anmen Hospital, said he shared the same opinion.

He told the Global Times that he was also questioned by customs officers, but such inspections are not targeted at TCM or Chinese people.

"It is to prevent any addictive drugs from entering the country under the guise of being TCM and we must respect and act in accordance with the laws of different countries," Cui said.

Cui pointed out that usually TCM contains parts of wild animals or herbs instead of cocaine or opium, but compound tablets would add the chemicals for quicker treatment.

He also urged patients to buy TCM products from licensed hospitals or pharmacies.

Chemical contents of counterfeit medicine could exceed the standard and become addictive, which could lead to harsher punishments, said Cui.