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The Department of Health (DH) today (February 12) signed a contract with China Medical University (CMU) in Taiwan for sample collection and research on Chinese materia medica under the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) Project (Phase VIII). The aim of HKCMMS is to develop reference standards for Chinese herbs commonly used in Hong Kong.
The contract was signed by the Chairperson of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on HKCMMS, Dr Constance Chan, and the President of CMU, Dr Lee Wen-hwa, at the CMU in Taichung, Taiwan. The CMU has been participating in the HKCMMS Project since 2011 and its research results on four Chinese herbs were published in HKCMMS Volume VI. Its research on another four Chinese herbs is expected to be completed within this year. The signing of this contract represents the ongoing collaboration effort between CMU and the DH on the development of HKCMMS.
"I am delighted to see that the research collaboration with CMU has yielded very good results. These ongoing collaborative activities mark an important milestone in promoting the safe use of Chinese medicine, especially in the context of wider global use of herbal medicine. The signing of this contract will not only enhance our Chinese medicine research efforts in terms of both quality and volume; it also signifies another important step to further bolster research collaboration between both places for the development and promotion of Chinese medicine. I look forward to very fruitful results of this further collaboration," Dr Chan remarked.
"The research work to be undertaken by CMU will cover four Chinese herbs, namely Radix Tinosporae, Semen Cassiae Occidentalis, Semen Hoveniae and Stamen Nelumbinis," Dr Chan added.
The HKCMMS Project was launched in 2002 for the development of safety and quality standards for Chinese herbs commonly used in Hong Kong. The principles and parameters for research and laboratory analysis are laid down by the IAB, which comprises a panel of internationally renowned experts.
As of today, the reference standards for around 200 Chinese materia medica have already been established, with six volumes of HKCMMS published.
The HKCMMS Volumes I-VI are accessible at the website of Chinese Medicine Division, Department of Health (www.cmd.gov.hk/html/eng/health_info/publication.html). Printed copies of the publications are also available for sale.
Ends/Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:35
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