According to National Business Daily, the Qu family gave the secret formula of the herbal medicine Yunnan Baiyao to the government of Yunnan province. China Securities Journal reports that in 1956, the State Council’s secrecy committee placed its prescription and process within the scope of state secrets.
The Paper reports that in August 1984, the State Pharmaceutical Administration listed the formula and process as a top state secret (国家绝密). It adds that Yunnan Baiyao is among the top-secret herbal medicines designated by the Ministry of Health, and that its period of secrecy is “long-term.”