By Zhang Hui

An old medicine containing rhinoceros horn can now be bought online at a hyped price of more than 20,000 yuan ($2,930) for each pill, 17 years after the ingredient was banned.

Angunguhwanghwan, the medicine, produced before 1993 by Tong Ren Tang, has a curative effect on patients suffering from meningitis, cerebral contusion, cerebral concussion, cerebral hemorrhage, paralysis diseases and high blood pressure.

An online vendor surnamed Wang told the Global Times that she had some of the medi-cine produced in 1987, and sold it for 20,000 yuan as it contained the super precious ingredient rhinoceros horn.

"Medicines containing rhinoceros horn have a better curative effect than those that do not contain it." Wang said the price has gone up because the government banned medicine that contained rhinoceros horn in 1993.

Wang said her parents were employed by the drug production company. "I promise the drug is genuine, and is sealed in wax, which prolongs its life," she said.

Only Indonesia, India and some African countries have rhinoceros, and they are under special international protection as an endangered species. In 1993, the State Council of China implemented a ban on all kinds of business related to the rhinoceros.

Tong Ren Tang, a time-honored brand in the TCM industry, was the producer of the medicine. An official at Tong Ren Tang said the medicine now use ingredients extracted from the buffalo to replace the rhinoceros horn after the government ban.

"The old medicine has a five year shelf life, and selling those produced years ago is illegal," the official said.

A TCM doctor surnamed Ma with Yaofangwang, the first online pharmacy in China, said people falsely believe the medicine has a magic effect and can cure cerebrovascular and other diseases.

"The medicine is definitely of no use after almost 15 years," Ma said, adding that taking out-of-date medicine might worsen the disease.