TCM companies eyeing global market

TRT adopts a diversified strategy for different markets, selling TCM as medicines in countries such as Singapore and Australia, while it does not push its products as patented drugs in the U.S. and European countries.

"Producing patented drugs in some mainstream markets is in our company strategy, but currently we are cautious about the huge investment and have decided to expand one step at a time. We are doing deep research into local medical policies and hope to find a solution through localization and more international cooperation," Ding said.

"We are considering setting up a research and manufacturing operation center in the U.S. and redesigning our products according to local standards through extensive cooperation with local universities, research institutions and governments, which might help increase recognition of our products."

In April 2012, a joint proposal was issued by 14 Chinese government authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, to boost TCM's global reach. It proposes a market strategy over five years that is "in line with the direction of the international market," including building 10 trade centers worldwide by 2015.

Ding thinks TRT can benefit from those support policies.

"We are expecting a more favorable international environment for TCM exports," she said. "We hope to win wider acceptance and have more say in TCM's global market."