Western Pacific regional meeting on herbal medicines held in Hong Kong (with photo)
************************************************************

     More than 30 representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific, drug regulatory authorities and research institutions in the region attended a meeting in Hong Kong today (November 26) on harmonisation of herbal medicines.

     Organised by the Department of Health, the Seventh Standing Committee Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Forum for the Harmonisation of Herbal Medicines (FHH), is being held for two days.

     The latest progress on regulation of herbal medicines among members of the FHH were discussed and reviewed at the meeting.

     Members of FHH include Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. Canada also takes part as a special member.

     The major objective of the forum is to protect and promote public health by recognising and developing standards and technical guidelines aimed at improving the quality, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines.

     Tomorrow, the subcommittees under the Standing Committee will report their work on standardisation; quality assurance and information; and adverse drug reaction of herbal medicines.

     The meeting is chaired by Director of Health, Dr PY Lam; and Regional Adviser in Traditional Medicine, Dr Narantuya Samdan; representing the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.

Ends/Thursday, November 26, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:08

NNNN