(ECNS) -- Japanese pharmaceutical company Kobayashi will increase production of Dusmock, a medicine to alleviate coughing, by 30 percent in 2017 to woo visiting Chinese consumers sensitive to air pollution.
Dusmock, a traditional Japanese medicine, has its origins in China. Made of 16 types of Chinese medicinal herbs, it can alleviate coughing and help clear phlegm from the throat. Released onto the market in 2014, mainly targeting smokers from 40 to 50 years old in Japan, it sells at around 89.2 yuan ($13) for a package of 12 bags.
Now, Dusmock has become popular among Chinese visitors who want to buy anything capable of fighting air pollution when back home. Statistics show that 20 percent of buyers from April to September last year were foreigners.
Chinese are eager consumers who use the medicine to combat problems arising from smoky and polluted air, reports the Nikkei Asian Review website.
Kobayashi will increase its sales efforts and also use new posters specially designed for Chinese customers during the upcoming Spring Festival, China's Lunar New Year. Posters will have Chinese characters that say "suitable for polluted air."
Due to the strong demand from China, the company also plans to produce 1.1 million packages of Dusmock in 2017, a growth of 30 percent.
But professor Yang Zhen with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine warned previously that it is too early to say how effective Chinese medicine can be in treating symptoms caused by smog.
Kobayashi has seen the popularity of its products ranging from masks to air purifiers soaring among Chinese.
