INFORM January 2024

10 • inform January 2024, Vol. 35 (1)

Establishing specialized nutrition in China Liang Song

Food as medicine is an idea starting to gain traction in the Western world, but in China provid ing patients with clinical nutritional support has been practiced since the 1970s. Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP), as they are called, have shown potential to enhance survival rates by reducing hospitalization length and decreasing complications, hence minimizing readmission rates which lowers associated healthcare costs. China has adjusted policies, in recent years, to system atize medical foods and potentially reduce national healthcare spending while improving the physi cal well-being and quality of life of its citizens.

Distinct from pharmaceuticals, FSMP cannot prevent, treat, or substitute for medication in man aging disease or clinical disorders. However, FSMP do require medical prescriptions or advisors, so they occupy a unique position between pharmaceu ticals and health supplements. They do not claim health-related benefits or nutrient supplementation properties which differentiate them from health supplements. Due to increased government atten tion and improved policies, FSMP are being used more among the elderly, patients with chronic ail ments, and those undergoing surgery. China has implemented their policies in accor dance with the trajectory of the medical food industry. Over four decades, the government has developed and refined the regulatory framework for retail pharmacy sales of FSMP. Regulations govern ing the display, promotion, and sale (including online commerce) of FSMP are now explicitly outlined for multiple geographic regions within the coun try. Here we discuss those policies and the future of FSMP in China. FOOD-BASED MEDICINE The application of food as medicine varies according to a patient’s needs. However, there are some com mon ingredients worth discussing. Fat is one of the three essential nutrients for the human body. In FSMP, different functional fats are chosen as raw materials based on the metabolic characteristics of patients. For instance, in full-nutri ent specialized medical foods designed for liver dis -

• FSMP in China, tailored for conditions like diabetes, respiratory disorders, and inflammatory bowel diseases, have demonstrated promise in improving patient outcomes and meeting specific dietary requirements. • The development and market accessibility of these foods were impacted by regulatory policy, particularly the implementation of the Food Safety Law. • FSMP distribution in China encompasses both in-hospital and external channels, with in-hospital pharmacies often playing a key role. • China has established regional regulations for FSMP sales and collaborative ventures between distribution enterprises, manufacturers, and medical institutions aim to create comprehensive solutions. • China established dedicated regulatory divisions for FSMP to ensure food safety and oversee their registration. These divisions have contributed to industry growth and market consolidation through comprehensive oversight.