Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ8: Development of the Chinese medicine industry
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Pan Pey-chyou and a written reply by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today
(November 18):
Question:
In his Policy Address delivered recently, the Chief Executive has proposed to
promote the development of Chinese medicine and facilitate its development by
introducing new certification services, making Hong Kong "a stage for promoting
Chinese medicine to the world". In this connection, will the Government inform
this Council:
(a) in order to promote Chinese medicine to the world, how the authorities
promote to the trades technology for modernising the Chinese medicine industry
by integrating with science and technology, so that the trades would better
understand the latest situation of the development of the industry;
(b) how the authorities will seek the Mainland's and international recognition
of the new certification services proposed for development; apart from
introducing new certification services, what other specific measures the
authorities have put in place to assist Hong Kong in becoming a stage for
promoting Chinese medicine to the world; and
(c) given that members of the public have an increasing demand for Chinese
medicine, and the international recognition of Chinese medicine has gradually
increased, whether the authorities will incorporate Chinese medicine into the
public healthcare system, so as to meet the demand and facilitate the
development of the Chinese medicine industry?
Reply:
President,
(a) For the purpose of safeguarding public health and consumer rights and
ensuring a high professional standard of the Chinese medicine sector so as to
expedite the standardisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine, the
Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong was established under the Chinese Medicine
Ordinance in 1999. The council has responsibility to implement various
regulatory measures relating to Chinese medicine and regulate the safety,
quality and efficacy of proprietary Chinese medicines, laying a good foundation
for the development of the Chinese medicine industry in Hong Kong and boosting
consumer confidence in the use of Chinese medicine products. In fact, the
regulatory regime in Hong Kong also serves as a model for other places. In
addition, we hope to help Hong Kong's Chinese medicine move towards
internationalisation through the development of the Chinese medicine industry
with the concept of "evidence-based medicine" and the introduction of a
scientific authentication mechanism.
Through the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF), the Government provides
funding support for the conduct of applied research for Chinese medicines and
projects for development of a modern technological platform and for procurement
of additional advanced equipment for local universities and scientific research
institutions so as to enhance their capabilities in pharmaceutical research and
development, pre-clinical study, manufacturing process development, analysis of
Chinese medicine characteristics and quality assessment, etc. ITF has also
assisted the establishment of many facilities, such as the Process Development
Facility for Chinese Medicine in the Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology, the
Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre of the Biotechnology Research Institute in
the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Quality Research
Laboratory of the Hong Kong Baptist University for analysis and authentication
of the ingredients in Chinese herbal medicines, so as to lay a foundation for
the development of modern Chinese medicine and quality control of Chinese
medicines. This shows that we are able to provide the Chinese medicine industry
with modern equipment and technical support of international standard. Since
2005, the Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme has been
established under ITF, so as to encourage closer collaboration in the conduct of
applied research for Chinese medicines between the scientific research
institutions and enterprises in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province. We have all
along encouraged enterprises to leverage the knowledge and resources of the
universities and scientific research institutions and work together to enhance
the innovation, modern technology level and international competitiveness of the
Chinese medicine industry.
In addition, the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club set up the Hong
Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine (ICM) in 2001 as a subsidiary of
the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute. The purpose is
to promote, coordinate and strengthen scientific research in Chinese medicines
in Hong Kong and facilitate the commercialisation of research results in Chinese
medicines, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of the Chinese medicine
industry in the market.
ICM has been given a donation of HK$500 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club
for funding its research projects and activities. So far, ICM has given support
to more than 10 different projects including various applied research projects
on the development of new Chinese medicine products, and the standardisation and
quality assessment of Chinese medicines, etc. Besides, the Chinese Medicine
Laboratory under ICM works with its network of advisors and technology partners
in providing technical support on sourcing and quality assessment of Chinese
herbal medicines, authentication of Chinese materia medica, analytical
methodology development and ingredient verification as well as the provision of
Chinese medicine chemical markers and contractual research services. ICM helps
the industry to develop high-quality Chinese medicine products by way of modern
methods and by integrating with science and technology.
ICM also disseminates its research results, information relating to research
activities in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and the statutory
requirements for Chinese medicine products in major overseas markets as well as
the latest information about the industry for the reference of the industry
through its information webpage, publications, market researches and database.
It also updates and shares its experience with the industry on the latest
research results by regularly organising and participating in seminars and
forums relevant to the Chinese medicine industry.
(b) At present, there is yet any uniform set of criteria internationally for the
setting of standards for Chinese medicine. By leveraging on its strengths, Hong
Kong has made positive efforts to develop standards for Chinese medicine so as
to make Hong Kong a platform for promoting Chinese medicine to the world. In
2002, the Department of Health (DH) launched a study programme on the Hong Kong
Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) with the purpose of setting standards,
in terms of safety and quality, for Chinese herbal medicines which are commonly
used in Hong Kong. To facilitate the development of Chinese medicine, the
coverage of the programme will be extended from the current 60 herbal medicines
to about 200.
Apart from safeguarding public health, the development of safety and quality
reference standards for Chinese medicines can help bring about improvements in
the use of raw materials for proprietary Chinese medicines and boost public
confidence in Chinese medicines. It can also serve as the cornerstone for the
conduct of further research on Chinese medicines, facilitate alignment with
international requirements and expedite the modernisation and
internationalisation of Chinese medicines as well as facilitating the Chinese
medicines trade and laying a foundation for Hong Kong's development into an
international Chinese medicine centre. An International Advisory Board,
comprising high level representatives from different countries, has been
established for the HKCMMS to promote worldwide recognition and acceptance of
the HKCMMC research results so as to make Hong Kong a platform for promoting
Chinese medicine to the world.
The Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) under the Innovation and Technology
Commission provides accreditation for laboratories, certification bodies and
inspection bodies in Hong Kong. Under the mutual recognition arrangements made
with international accreditation authorities, the accreditation given to testing
and certification agencies by HKAS is recognised by 72 accreditation authorities
(including the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment)
in 54 economies.
Besides, the Trade Development Council of Hong Kong holds an International
Conference and Exhibition of the Modernisation of Chinese Medicine and Health
Products each year to provide the Chinese medicine industry with a trade
platform for large-scale international exchange and cooperation.
(c) The contribution of Chinese medicine to the primary healthcare services is
widely recognised by the public. Chinese medicine services in Hong Kong have all
along been provided primarily by the private sector. As at October 31, 2009,
there are 6,120 registered Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) and 2,793
listed CMPs in Hong Kong, providing Chinese medicine services in various
districts. For patients who need to be hospitalised or suffer from severe
illnesses, they are treated by Western medical practitioners generally while
CMPs may play a supplementary role.
In view of the increasing demand for Chinese medicine services from members of
the public, the Government is incorporating Chinese medicine services into the
public healthcare system on an incremental basis. The Hospital Authority is now
trying out different models of Chinese and Western medicines shared care
services in various hospitals. A larger scale of Chinese and Western medicines
shared care services will be considered to be incorporated in the proposed
Chinese medicine building under the Kwong Wah Hospital Redevelopment Project.
Besides, the Government has established public Chinese medicine clinics (CMCs)
in various districts since 2003. The main objective is to promote the
development of "evidence-based" Chinese medicine and at the same time serve the
function of providing the recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance
and the elderly with free or reduced-fee Chinese medicine services. At present,
there are 14 public CMCs, which are located in the Central and Western District,
Wan Chai, Eastern District, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan,
Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing, North District and Sha
Tin respectively. We are now making an effort to identify suitable sites in the
Kowloon City District, Yau Tsim Mong District, Southern District and Islands
District for establishing CMCs. Besides, some non-government organisations also
provide Chinese medicine services by way of mobile CMCs in a number of
districts. It is thus evident that public and private Chinese medicine services
complement each other in meeting the needs of the community.
Ends/Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:41
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