Physician's Odyssey

Chapter 681 - Current International Situation on Medicine

Translator: Thyaeria

The next morning at about 8 a.m., Kim Jung-ho rushed over to Su Tao’s hotel and pressed on his doorbell. Su Tao had a habit of waking up early, but he still felt a little surprised seeing Kim Jung-ho so early.

“Kim Jung-yeon is still asleep, so I rushed over to meet you.” Kim Jung-ho explained as he laughed.

“Have you eaten?” Su Tao smiled.

“Not yet, but we can eat together!” Kim Jung-ho said as he dragged Su Tao to the buffet in the hotel and even paid for it.

Su Tao did not refuse his goodwill and took some pastries, milk, and noodles. He then sat before Kim Jung-ho, chatting as they ate.

When Kim Jung-ho was halfway done eating, he placed the spoon in his hand down and gave a serious look at Su Tao. “You really intend to establish a Chinese medicine factory in China?”

“Do I look like someone who bullshits?” Su Tao asked with a smile.

Letting out a sigh, Kim Jung-ho seriously asked, “Do you know why the Chinese medicine Association was banned in the UK in 2014?”

“Since I’ve decided to enter this industry, I’ve naturally done my homework. It’s because of some hidden malpractices.” Su Tao faintly replied.

“But that’s not entirely true. The medicinal effects of Chinese medicine are intense, and it’s not beneficial to the public. In my view, many western medicine merchants joined up with the government to launch an unfair policy against Chinese medicine.

“For example, the Six Flavor Rehmanni had to go through six different Good Manufacturing Practice verifications, with a total cost of £1,000,000 to be approved. However, western medicine only has to go through one, so the cost is 1:6.

“The annual sales of the Six Flavor Rehmanni is less than £1,000,000 a year, and comparing it with the registration cost, not many Chinese medicine enterprises can afford it. Putting it in a nutshell, it’s not because Chinese medicine cannot go through the strict evaluation, but because of the policies in the UK that makes it hard for enterprises to bear. In the end, they could only withdraw from the market.

“So, how are you going to change the situation?” Kim Jung-ho curiously asked, baffled as to why Su Tao would insist on jumping into this industry despite knowing the reason.

“If I don’t give it a try, I will never be able to promote the development of TCM, and it will remain stagnant.” Su Tao solemnly said before he continued, “If TCM wishes to break out from the current situation, the best method is to rely on promoting Chinese medicines and let everyone know the benefits of them. We have to do that to attract patients to come in contact with TCM, and this is the reason why I’m establishing the Chinese medicine factory.”

Kim Jung-ho’s eyes flickered with a hidden concern as he sighed, “If you’re insisting on walking down this path, I can only remind you to be wary of a few forces, UK’s Elbert Pharmaceutical, Germany’s Neuer Pharmaceutical, America’s Ferry Pharmaceutical, and Italy’s Tosca Pharmaceutical. They are the four sovereigns in the industry.”

“There are many restrictions in Chinese medicine, and this must also be the reason for the Chinese Medicine Discussion, right?” Su Tao analysed with a smile.

“That’s right!” Kim Jung-ho had a flash of shock through his eyes as he continued, “I never expected that you would have a clear view on the situation.”

“In my view, Chinese medicine should come together and launch their retaliation at western medicine.” Su Tao nodded his head.

“Retaliation?” Kim Jung-ho bitterly smiled before he continued, “You’re making it too simple. With the current supremacy in western medicine, the authority of speech for some special medicines lies in several large pharmaceutical enterprises to monopolise the market. With them joining together, anyone who tries to touch their interest will definitely be suppressed. Right now, Japan has a good development on their TCM, and that’s because they have the support of the four sovereigns in the background.”

“Japan’s medical industry doesn’t acknowledge TCM, so isn’t it an irony for them to gain a lead in Chinese medicine?” Su Tao suddenly asked.

“It’s an irony, but it’s also the truth.” Kim Jung-ho weakly said.

“TCM and Chinese medicine are an inseparable entity. I believe that if I can create some competitive medicines, it won’t be long for the market to acknowledge us.” Su Tao confidently said.

Their conversation might be somewhat messy, but Su Tao’s thoughts were simple. Since Chinese medicine originated in China, then China would naturally have an advantage in this field.

Firstly, China had a big market. TCM might be in an awkward situation, but there are still many people who have acknowledged TCM, and they’re also willing to try Chinese medicine. Just this colossal market alone, it’s sufficient for an outstanding Chinese medicine enterprise to grow.

Secondly, if the effects of the medicine were great, there’s no need to worry that you couldn’t get into the international market with the internet around, even if you do not have the sales permit in other countries.

For example, many Chinese tourists would visit Japan and South Korea. Aside from purchasing some luxury goods, they would also buy some famous medicines from the two countries.

Su Tao’s thoughts were simple. Any foreigners traveling in China would want to bring some souvenirs back, and if their first thought was to buy medicine from the Three Flavour Medicine, he would have succeeded.

It was so much so that those tourists might be coming to China just for the sake of it. Not only could it bring a huge profit to the enterprises, but I could also bring benefits to the nation.

Kim Jung-ho realised that every single time he chatted with Su Tao, he would gain something. He also realised that there’s a massive difference between the two of them. Not only did Su Tao surpass him in medical skills, but his thoughts on the development of TCM wasn’t something that he could understand.

Su Tao was a physician, but he wasn’t satisfied as a healer. Instead, he wanted to build a TCM Empire.

Aside from his pharmacy chains, there would also be all sorts of TCM essences in it for this TCM Empire, and his current goal was on the Chinese medicine industry.

Su Tao was familiar with medical books, so wouldn’t it be a piece of cake to have a genius like him develop medicine prescriptions?

Kim Jung-ho inwardly sighed. Not only was he sweating for the Chinese medicine industry, but he was also sweating for the international pharmaceutical enterprises. Su Tao was someone who could create miracles, and who knows, he might create a shocking achievement in a few years.

In the end, Kim Jung-ho had only considered himself as a physician, so compared to Su Tao, he was at a smaller scale.

“Amaki Hamasaki might not be comparable to you in terms of medical skills, but this is his home ground. He will definitely use his advantage as the host to compete with you.” Kim Jung-ho had no idea why he would give a warning to Su Tao, but after thinking about it, he did not really consider Su Tao as a competitor.

“I have also done my research on him. He inherited his skills from a TCM Grandmaster in Japan, Mamoru Onizuka. Mamoru Onizuka is an expert in medicine and acupuncture, and he was the only physician who still retained his title as a TCM Grandmaster during the abolition era. Putting it in a nutshell, his master can be called the spirit of Japan’s TCM. The recent development in TCM and Chinese medicine was also under his influence. If possible, I would really want to meet a legend like him.” Su Tao smiled.

“It was rumored that Mamoru Onizuka is an icy person. He might possess extraordinary skills, but he has also fixed his rules for his patients. He will not treat those who are not promising, those who aren’t wealthy, those who aren’t influential, those who do not have any prestige, and those who aren’t aristocratic. If you do not meet one of his requirements, he would rather watch you die than to treat you. He feels that there are too many patients in the world, and he can’t possibly save them all with his own power. As for Amaki Hamasaki, he also abides by these rules, and this is the reason he does not have a good reputation in Japan’s medical industry. However, it’s undeniable that his medical skills are superb.” Kim Jung-ho had once competed with Amaki Hamasaki, so he could give a more detailed analysis.

“I’ll just deal with whatever comes my way.” Su Tao smiled as he continued, “I just hope that he won’t be too disappointing!”

“I also believe that you won’t lose!” Kim Jung-ho nodded his head.

As the two of them finished their breakfast, they also talked about some details about the medicine factory. Kim Jung-ho might be a consultant, but he had a great understanding of the procedures, to which Su Tao greatly benefited from. Kim Jung-ho might be someone who relied on hype to promote himself, but he still had true skills.

After that, Su Tao received a call from Yu Omuri. Yu Omuri burnt through the midnight oil and had already written out a draft, which Su Tao could understand Yu Omuri’s current thoughts. Since he has already decided to join Su Tao, he would definitely do his best to show his worth.

Seeing that Kim Jung-ho was also present, Su Tao got him to study it with him. Since this was not the finalised proposal, there’s no harm in letting Kim Jung-ho take a look at it.

When Kim Jung-ho saw that Su Tao was getting his help, he was in a pretty good mood. He took half an hour before he managed to finish it and looked at Su Tao with a complicated gaze before he asked, “Who wrote this proposal?”

“I can’t tell you that right now. Help me take a look and see if there’s a problem.” Su Tao smiled.

“The standard of his command over Chinese is so-so, but the proposal is extremely detailed. With just a glance, anyone can tell that it’s written by someone extremely experienced. You can never find such a talent in China, so which research facility did you poach him from? A person like him is part of the core personnel wherever he goes, and whichever research facility he left will definitely be doomed.” Kim Jung-ho bitterly smiled.

Looking at Kim Jung-ho in a better light, Su Tao smiled. “Are you done praising? Do you have any suggestions?”

Brushing his chin, Kim Jung-ho pondered for a long time before he replied, “There’s no problem from the scale of it, but there are some details that need to be perfected, such as the budget. I’m afraid that there will be some differences based on the two countries’ market situation. The budget is enough to invest in Japan and South Korea, but I’m afraid that you’re still at least lacking tens of millions if you’re putting it in China. But overall, it’s already perfect.”

Seeing that even Kim Jung-ho had approved of the proposal, Su Tao smiled. “What’s wrong? You’re interested in joining?”

Although Kim Jung-ho had a brief hesitation in his eyes, he immediately wore a firm expression. “I will not be enticed by you!”

Nodding his head, Su Tao smiled. “I also don’t wish you to give up so easily. I still prefer having you as my rival.”

Wearing a bitter smile, Kim Jung-ho did not feel good having someone like Su Tao as a rival and asked, self-mockingly, “Should I feel honoured?”

At this moment, the doorbell suddenly rang, so Su Tao walked over. When he opened the door, he saw the youthful Kim Jung-yeon with a graceful figure. She gave Su Tao a nod before she stomped her way to Kim Jung-ho and gave a kick at her brother’s leg.

At this moment, Su Tao wiped his sweat for Kim Jung-ho since Kim Jung-yeon was really terrifying when she became furious.

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