The Department of Health (DH) and the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica (ICMM) of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), today (July 22) signed an extension of co-operation agreement on research and application for standards of Chinese medicines for a period of five years. The agreement reinforces the exchange and collaboration between the two parties, as well as facilitates the development of Chinese medicines of the two places.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been actively promoting exchange and co-operation with relevant authorities in the Mainland in the testing and reference standard research of Chinese medicines. With the support of relevant units such as NATCM and the National Medical Products Administration, Hong Kong's research work on Chinese medicines has proceeded smoothly.

     The DH and the ICMM have been in close collaboration in research and testing of Chinese medicine standards since 2017. Apart from offering technical advice on the research work of DNA Laboratory in the temporary Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute at the Hong Kong Science Park, ICMM has provided valuable opinions, through co-organising seminars, on the development of DNA testing methods to suit the needs of the Chinese medicines industry in Hong Kong. The co-operation agreement signed today will continue the good co-operation relationship between the two parties and jointly foster development in testing and reference standard research of Chinese medicines.

     Under the co-operation agreement, the DH and ICMM will work toward the common goals of ensuring the safety of Chinese medicines and safeguarding public health. In this respect, the two parties will continue to promote exchange and collaboration on testing technology and research of Chinese medicines, strengthen the co-operation mechanism for DNA-based testing technology and application, as well as further enhance the research and application of Chinese medicine standards through different activities such as expert group meetings, symposiums and training.

Ends/Friday, July 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 12:30

NNNN