Watching TCM

Draft law calls for more oversight of Traditional Chinese Medicine

China’s top legislature read a draft law on Traditional Chinese Medicine on Monday, calling for stronger management of the industry.

The draft, now in its second reading, was submitted to the bimonthly session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

Under the revised draft, pharmaceutical companies and TCM dealers must keep records of their purchases.

It also stresses stricter management of farms used for herb cultivation, better environmental protection for herb-growing regions, enhanced safety during processing and improved research on theories and techniques.

The draft also contains a general principle stipulating that China supports TCM studies, encourages innovation and promotes the application of such skills.

The revisions specify items to enhance TCM studies, including official encouragement of studies by research and medical institutions, universities and pharmaceutical enterprises.

Meanwhile, China should establish and improve systems of appraisal, management and innovation of techniques based on the characteristics of TCM, it said.

Research on projects crucial to TCM’s development, such as prevention and treatment of major diseases, should be strengthened, according to the draft.

It also urges the country to better protect TCM through databases and catalogs.

The initial draft was first read in a bimonthly session in December 2015.

MU YU / XINHUA Physicians prescribe Traditional Chinese Medicine in a hospital in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, on Thursday.