The import and export of Chinese medicines, as well as all Chinese medicine traders, will be regulated by an ordinance starting January 11.

The Chinese Medicine Ordinance aims to safeguard public health and promote the development of Chinese medicines.

In addition, all retailers and wholesalers of Chinese herbal medicines, as well as manufacturers and wholesalers of proprietary Chinese medicines, must obtain a license from the Chinese Medicines Board - a component of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong - and clearly display it in shops for customers.

And after next Friday, unregistered traders will be forbidden to run their businesses until they obtain a license. Violators are subject to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

Even retailers, such as supermarkets that sell soup packs containing sliced Chinese herbal medicines must obtain licenses, as their trade involves the dispensation of Chinese medicines, Board Chairman Lam Ping-yan explained yesterday.

However, traditional herbal teas classified as an instant Chinese medicine products will remain regulated solely by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

The medicinal licensing system was introduced as voluntary in May 2003, and as of December 2007, the Chinese Medicines Board received about 8,000 applications. In total, it has issued about 3,500 licences and 3,500 transitional certificates.

Transitional certificates are issued to traders who started their business before January 3, 2000, and Chinese medicine licenses are issued to those who started after that date.

Most of the remaining 1,000 applications were by traders who eventually withdrew their requests because they stopped selling medicine, Lam said, adding that only a few applications were rejected.

Applicants are required to comply with the ordinance standards, which stipulate requirements on personnel qualifications, premises, hygiene, storage and facilities.

License holders must renew their licenses every two years to continue selling medicine.

"It (the enactment) is to promote good practice by Chinese medicine traders," Lam said. "We did not see any traders refrain from applying."

Man Wai Hoi Chinese Medicine, a retailer in Tuen Mun, supported the provisions. Workers there said that the license helps strengthen customers' confidence in the retailer's medicines.

Additionally, the import and export of 36 types of potent or toxic Chinese herbal medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines will fall under the ordinance standards next Friday.

Chinese medical practitioners are obligated to notify their patients at their diagnosis about the proper use of toxic medicines. Regulations also cover labeling, storage and dispensing of the medicines.

(HK Edition 01/04/2008 page1)