Background <p>Based on unbalanced panel data from 75 listed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enterprises during the period 2015–2023, this study constructs an evaluation index system to assess the development of new quality productive forces among TCM leading enterprises.</p> Methods <p>The entropy method is employed to measure the development level of new quality productive forces of these China’s leading TCM manufacturing enterprises. Furthermore, Kernel density estimation and the Dagum Gini coefficient are applied to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution and regional disparities. In addition, the study utilizes an obstacle factor identification model to pinpoint the key constraints affecting the development of new quality productive forces in TCM leading enterprises.</p> Results <p>The results reveal an overall upward trend in the development level of new quality productive forces. Regionally, the performance follows the pattern: Central China &gt; Eastern China &gt; Western China, indicating some regional disparities, though the overall gap remains relatively stable. The obstacle analysis indicates that, at the criterion level, the ranking of obstacle degrees is: means of labor &gt; laborers &gt; objects of labor. Technological drive, digital application, and environmental ratings emerge as the main influencing factors in the development of new quality productive forces in China’s TCM leading enterprises.</p> Conclusion <p>New quality productive forces show an upward development trend, with regional disparities persisting but the overall gap remaining stable. The main obstacles lie in means of labor, laborers, and objects of labor in sequence. Technological drive, digital application, and environmental ratings are crucial influencing factors for TCM leading enterprises.</p>