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Results of Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (Phase VIII) announced
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (March 28) published reference standards on safety and quality for 39 commonly used Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) in Phase VIII of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS).
 
     "The HKCMMS Project has reached its 15th anniversary. Throughout the past years, with the concerted efforts of our collaboration partners, the HKCMMS have become well-recognised reference standards in the field of Chinese medicine testing and certification. The findings of the HKCMMS have also contributed to promoting the use of evidence-based, safe and quality Chinese medicines," a DH spokesman said.
 
     "This volume is the eighth of the series setting out reference standards for CMM commonly used in Hong Kong. Up to now, the number of CMM with reference standards totals 275. We are pleased to introduce for the first time reference assay chromatograms into the individual CMM monographs in the electronic version of this volume to enrich the content of HKCMMS and further secure the quality control of CMM," the spokesman added.
 
     The criteria for selection of CMM for the research include the following:
 
* common usage in the local community;
* international concern in respect of their safety and quality;
* high economic value in the local market; and
* priority being accorded to the CMM listed in the two schedules of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance.
 
     Research work was conducted by research teams from six local universities, namely the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong. The National Institutes for Food and Drug Control of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan's China Medical University also took part in the research.
 
     An International Advisory Board comprising local, Mainland and overseas experts advised on the research principles, methodologies, parameters and analytical methods of HKCMMS. The Government Laboratory developed analytical methods for determination of heavy metals, pesticide residues and mycotoxins, and participated in inter-laboratory verification. The China Food and Drug Administration and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine also provided valuable advice and support for the HKCMMS project.
 
     The HKCMMS Volume VIII sets out the names, sources and descriptions of the 39 CMM, as well as methods of identification (including microscopic identification, thin-layer chromatographic identification and high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprinting identification), tests and assays.
 
     The 39 CMM are Amomi Fructus Rotundus, Anemones Raddeanae Rhizoma, Ardisiae Crenatae Radix, Bruceae Fructus, Cassiae Occidentalis Semen, Celosiae Semen, Chrysanthemi Indici Flos, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Daturae Flos, Epimedii Herba, Fibraureae Caulis, Hedysari Radix, Hyoscyami Semen (unprocessed), Lonicerae Flos, Lycoridis Radiatae Bulbus, Melicopes Pteleifoliae Caulis, Menispermi Rhizoma, Myristicae Semen, Nelumbinis Stamen, Panacis Japonici Rhizoma, Piperis Fructus, Plantaginis Herba, Platycladi Semen, Plumbaginis Zeylanicae Radix, Polygoni Chinensis Herba, Polygoni Perfoliati Herba, Potentillae Chinensis Herba, Rhapontici Radix, Rhododendri Mollis Flos, Saururi Herba, Saussureae Involucratae Herba, Siegesbeckiae Herba, Sinopodophylli Radix et Rhizoma, Smilacis Chinae Rhizoma, Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma, Stemonae Radix, Tinosporae Radix, Trichosanthis Pericarpium and Viticis Negundo Folium.
 
     The DH will arrange briefing sessions for Chinese medicine trade associations, wholesalers and manufacturers of Chinese medicines as well as representatives of laboratories to update them on the latest research development of HKCMMS Project.
 
     The HKCMMS Volume VIII is available for public access at www.cmd.gov.hk/hkcmms/vol8/main.html. Limited copies of a CD-ROM containing HKCMMS Volume VIII can be obtained from the following locations:
 
* Chinese Medicine Division of the DH on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong;
* Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute of the DH on 7/F, Biotech Centre 2, 11 Science Park West Avenue, Phase 2, Science Park, Sha Tin;
* HKCMMS Office of the Chinese Medicine Division of the DH on 2/F, Public Health Laboratory Centre, 382 Nam Cheong Street, Kowloon; and
* Secretariat of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong on 22/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai.
 
     For enquiries about HKCMMS issue, please call HKCMMS Office at 2319 8562. The HKCMMS Volume VIII is available for sale at the Publications Sales Unit of the Information Services Department. An electronic book ordering service can be made via the online Government Bookstore (www.bookstore.gov.hk). For enquiries about the sale of the publication, please call 2537 1910.
 
Ends/Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:01
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