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Results of Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (Phase IX) announced
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     The Department of Health (DH) today (December 31) published reference standards on safety and quality for 24 commonly used Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) in Phase IX of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS).
 
     "The HKCMMS Project was launched in 2002. 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 ninth 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 299. To ensure the safety and quality of CMM, we have introduced the limits and testing method of sulphur dioxide residues in this volume, moving a step forward to safeguard public health. In addition, the DH will release a DVD compiling all nine volumes together with this printed version, so as to provide users with a compact and handy means to access the whole series of HKCMMS monographs," 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 the HKCMMS. The Government Laboratory developed analytical methods for determination of heavy metals, pesticide residues and mycotoxins, and participated in inter-laboratory verification. The National Medical Products Administration and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine also provided valuable advice and support for the HKCMMS project.
 
     The HKCMMS Volume IX sets out the names, sources and descriptions of the 24 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 24 CMM are Amomi Fructus, Asparagi Radix, Bletillae Rhizoma, Corydalis Bungeanae Herba, Elephantopi Herba, Ganoderma, Garciniae Resina (unprocessed), Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra, Glechomae Herba, Hedyotidis Diffusae Herba, Homalomenae Rhizoma, Hoveniae Semen, Ilicis Pubescentis Radix et Caulis, Lini Semen, Lobeliae Chinensis Herba, Polygalae Japonicae Herba, Potentillae Discoloris Herba, Psidii Guajavae Folium, Semiaquilegiae Radix, Sinapis Semen, Sparganii Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Radix, Wenyujin Rhizoma Concisum and Wikstroemiae Radix.
 
     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 developments of the HKCMMS Project.
 
    The HKCMMS Volume IX is available for public access at www.cmd.gov.hk/hkcmms/vol9/main.html. Limited copies of the DVD compiling all nine volumes 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 issues, please call the HKCMMS Office at 2319 8562. The HKCMMS Volume IX 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/Monday, December 31, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:00
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