Home > Current Events > Year 2013 March
A review of stories making the headlines.
 

Objectiva brings PMPH's traditional Chinese medicine books to the iPad
PRNewswire, 4 March 2013

Objectiva Software Solutions has released a new iPad app for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has enabled People's Medical Publishing House (PMPH) turn their existing medical books into iPad apps. The iPad app ¡§TCM Books¡¨ is currently with 14 books, and another 100 more will be on the way this year. PMPH has continually led the way in TCM book publication throughout Asia. In the past 50 years, it has published a total of 1400 TCM books, including 300 classical Chinese medical texts.

TCM goes to global market
CRIENGLISH.com, 5 March 2013

A joint venture between two of the world's largest health companies is breaking medical ground with its fusion of Chinese and Western medicine. Nestle Health Science and Hutchison China MediTech formed Nutrition Science Partners (NSP) in a 50/50 partnership late last year. Christian Hogg, general manager of NSP, said that what they're doing is bringing global standard research and development methodologies and techniques to studying substances that have a long history of use in humans. Traditional Chinese Medicine is part of the social fabric in China.

New approach explains how traditional Chinese, Indian medicines work
Voice of America, 13 March 2013

An international team of researchers has developed a new procedure for analyzing how substances used by these traditional healers actually work in the body, their so-called mode of action or MOA. The approach allows scientists to predict how the active chemical ingredients in traditional medicines affect biological processes, and what side effects they might have. In their report, published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, the researchers explain how compounds used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda affected inflammation and cancer.

Rockefeller Foundation played critical role in Chinese medical history
Global Times, 14 March 2013

The concept of ¡§traditional Chinese medicine¡¨ (TCM) that stood in opposition to Western medicine developed in the late 19th century, signified a division of Chinese medical practitioners into ¡§Western¡¨ and ¡§Chinese¡¨ medicine. In a book To Change China: The Rockefeller Foundation's Century-long Journey in China, by Ma Qiusha, holds that NGOs, especially the Rockefeller Foundation, contributed to this process. The acceptance of ¡§Western¡¨ medicine was not only because of its undoubted superiority, but also because some advanced Chinese intellectuals regarded criticizing TCM as an important part of overthrowing the old culture, as Ma points out.

Chinese medicine to be regulated April 1
Toronto Star, 14 March 2013

The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario, a self-regulatory body, is set to come into force April 1. The college will establish the scope of practice and professional registration, and handle complaints brought by the public. According to Emily Cheung, the college¡¦s registrar, about 1,000 practitioners, who must pass the safety and jurisprudence exams, are expected to become members immediately. Ontario joins British Columbia as the only provinces to fully regulate traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists. In Alberta, Newfoundland and Quebec, only acupuncturists are regulated.

Potential effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine for cardiac syndrome X (CSX)
7thSpace Interactive, 17 March 2013

A study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine on cardiac syndrome X patients by assessing the quality of included studies, extracting valid data and undertaking meta-analysis. Twenty one moderate-to low-quality randomized controlled trials involving 1143 patients were included. It is concluded that comparing with conventional treatment, traditional Chinese medicine shows the potential of optimizing symptomatic outcomes and improving ECG and exercise duration. It may provide another choice for CSX patients.

National program to keep TCM healthy
China Daily, 22 March 2013

China's top traditional Chinese medicine authority has announced a nationwide training program. The Administration has appointed 734 leading TCM specialists to instruct 1,465 students in clinical practice and academic research. Since 1990, the administration has carried out a series of programs to pass down the time-honored Oriental medical science and help churn out more qualified practitioners. In 2008, China introduced this model into the professional training of TCM practitioners. Disciples who successfully finish the course can apply for a master's or doctoral degree in TCM clinical medicine.

Doctor, there's a scorpion in my tea!
The Nation, 24 March 2013

Located in Bangkok's Chinatown, Beijing Tong Ren Tang (Thailand) is a partnership between the Thai pharmaceutical company, Vejpongosot, and the original Tong Ren Tang. What make it distinctive from other herbal shops is its strong sense of professionalism, and the aim of winning the young generation's trust in herbal medicine. In many ways it is a traditional health care centre with a modern face, providing a one-stop service, from diagnosis to prescription to traditional pharmacy, for people who want to try the healing power of herbs.

Interest in TCM growing globally
People's Daily Online, 27 March 2013

While some Chinese scholars propose abolishing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), foreign pharmaceutical institutions and industries are pursuing them. Given that the culture and ideology of TCM is different from that of Western medicine, great innovation is required to integrate the two sciences. Zhang Lingping, director of the international cooperation department of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, welcomed the emerging trend. A better approach for TCM development is to enhance its dosage and stability, she said, but might also pose a challenge for domestic TCM industries.

Chinese medicine may hold the key to treating diabetes
UQ News, 28 March 2013

Traditional Chinese medicine could be a key weapon in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, a joint international study has found. Researchers have found that conventional drugs were significantly more effective when used alongside traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The results showed patients treated with traditional Chinese medicine were more than a third less likely to experience hypoglycaemia, fatigue, hunger and palpitation. The paper is published in PLOS One.

Legal challenge fuels confusion over Chinese medicine crackdown
Toronto Star, 28 March 2013

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who have yet to be registered with the new governing body are urged to continue their practice after April 1, when it becomes illegal for the unlicensed to treat patients. The advice came from Cecil Rotenberg, lawyer for the estimated 2,000 practitioners who oppose the new regulation. The case will be heard May 30. However, a spokesperson for Health Minister Deb Matthews said there was no such assurance. They are still required to register, or notify the council of their intent to register by April 1, replied in an email.

Chinese herbs may reduce hot flashes
Reuters Health, 29 March 2013

Women taking a Chinese herbal formula experienced less than half the number of menopausal hot flashes they had before the treatment, according to a new study from Hong Kong. Among women taking an herbal mix, the frequency of daily hot flashes dropped by 62%, compared to a 52% drop seen among women taking a placebo. The severity of the hot flashes also declined to a greater degree in the group. Although previous studies have found that the formula can help reduce hot flashes, they were not high quality experiments, the researchers write in the medical journal Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society.

Misperceptions clash with the reality
China Daily, 30 March 2013

There are some misperceptions by multinational companies about China's consumer healthcare market, such as that it is small, only focuses on traditional medicine, highly fragmented, difficult for a new entrant to gain a foothold, and all about winning in the retail pharmacy sector. Actually, the market has a potential of $44 billion, with significant room for TCM and Western products, and chance for newcomers to get involve, and also hospitals continue to be an important channel for sale.

2 drug producers busted for illegal sulfur use
Xinhua, 30 March 2013

Two Chinese herbal medicine manufacturers have been ordered to suspend production for allegedly treating drug ingredients with excessive sulfur, China's drug watchdog revealed. They have been told to suspend production and stop the distribution of relevant drugs, according to a circular issued by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Authorities have already taken affected products off the market. In order to curb the excessive use of sulfur, the administration will standardize the cultivation of herbal medicine materials and offer better training for growers.



Compiled By:
Rose Tse, Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd.