Sustainable development of medicinal plants in Lao Cai

Lao Cai province has directed localities to gradually restore and develop medicinal plants, expand growing areas, and supply raw materials for local pharmaceutical processing companies and corporations.

Northern Lao Cai province has four types of medicinal plants that are centrally-produced and recognised by the Ministry of Health as meeting the principles and standards of “Good practice for cultivating and collecting medicinal plants” (GACP), as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). There are currently ten companies, businesses, cooperatives, and individuals involved in the production and purchase of pharmaceutical products, purchasing over 3,000 tons of products of all kinds annually.

The Lao Cai Provincial People’s Committee has issued Decision No 1214, specifying a list of key agricultural products offered prioritised support in linking production with product consumption.

Links in pharmaceutical production have been gradually formed, with production areas having applied technical measures to increase productivity and improve product quality.

Lao Cai province is also gradually establishing brands and issuing codes for medicinal plant areas, and by 2030 targets having 3,500 ha of medicinal plants while focusing on developing 22 main types of medicinal herbs, with output at over 11,000 tons a year. It will develop and expand its medicinal plant areas, providing materials for domestic pharmaceutical companies and corporations./.

VNA