TCM prescription for H1N1 causes price increase in some TCM herbs

Herbal medicine: One of the ways to prevent flu CCTV-International

With growing numbers of A/H1N1 flu cases on the Chinese mainland, many more people are turning to traditional Chinese medicine.

China has released a TCM prescription to prevent A/H1N1. Honeysuckle and mulberry leaf are on the list. Both of them are common herbal medicines used to treat influenza. But their price has doubled recently.

Health officials say the sudden surge in demand has triggered the price rise, and heavy snow in the past few weeks has hampered deliveries. They say herbal medicines are just one way to prevent flu. People are advised to go to community hospitals if they suffer flu-like symptoms.

Editor: Zhang Ning | Source: CCTV.com

Details of the Singapore-China MOU

Singapore And China Sign MOU For Traditional Chinese Medicine

Source: Government of Singapore Posted on: 23rd November 2009

MOH signed Fourth Plan of Cooperation in TCM With PRC’s State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Singapore.

Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Manpower signed the 4th Plan of Cooperation (POC) in the area of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s State Administration of TCM (SATCM) in Singapore today.

Dr Wang Guoqiang, PRC’s Vice Minister of Health and Commissioner of SATCM signed the POC on behalf of PRC.

This is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between MOH and SATCM in 1999, which provides for the 3-yearly POC, and an annual meeting of the Sino-Singapore Committee on TCM Cooperation held alternately between Singapore and PRC.

A/Prof Chew Suok Kai, Acting Director of Medical Services, MOH chaired the 7th meeting of the Committee, which was also held in Singapore today.

The MOU aims to formulate cooperation plans and facilitate the mutual exchange of information and expertise on matters pertaining to the teaching, practice and regulation of TCM between the two countries.

Under the MOU and POC, PRC TCM experts have been invited to Singapore to assist MOH and the TCM Practitioners Board in the examination of TCM practitioners as part of the registration of TCM practitioners since 1999, and in the training of Chinese medicine materials dispensers.

In return, five health management training programmes have been conducted both in Singapore and in PRC for PRC TCM officials.

Vice Minister Wang is accompanied by five PRC’s SATCM officials.

The delegation will leave Singapore on 22 Nov 2009.

Looks Like Acupuncture Slimming is Big Business!

From TODAY newspaper

Beauty salons hop on the TCM bandwagon
By Alicia Wong, TODAY Posted: 23 November 2009 0717 hrs

SINGAPORE: Acupressure massage, acupuncture slimming and fire therapy are some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments believed to be effective for weight loss. These are also now being offered by beauty salons to their customers – and more are muscling in, say industry players. But while TCM practitioners are regulated by the Ministry of Health (MOH), beauty salons do not come under its purview – leaving some to wonder if this loophole now allows untrained beauticians to perform TCM treatments. Last year, when concerns were raised, guidelines for doctors offering aesthetic treatments were tightened, but these did not apply to beauty salons with similar offerings. Recently, newspapers reported that a customer was burnt after a spa botched a fire therapy for weight-loss procedure. Chinese physician Jiang Xue Feng at Ma Kuang Healthcare Group has noticed a proliferation of beauty centres advertising TCM treatments. She believes that this is driven by customers' interest in "natural" treatments. The head of TCM in Healthway Medical Wellness Group Carl Wong said: "TCM for slimming will definitely rise in popularity with customers as patients do not need to exercise and no special diet is needed." Last year, the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) received three complaints about TCM services in spas or beauty centres. This year, it has received three complaints to date. According to MOH, those who wish to practise acupuncture must be registered as TCM practitioners who have passed the Singapore TCM Registration Examination. Mr Henry Tay, who manages a slimming centre, said his acupuncture slimming is done by staff from a Chinese physician hall, while a manager for Youth Infinite Beauty & Slimming said the centre eschews the use of needles but focuses on mainly acupressure or meridian massage. The centre's staff were trained by its owner, a Chinese physician, twice a week for at least three months. "There won't be trouble, if (beauticians) have a clear understanding of TCM," she said, stressing the importance of proper training. Ms Chen Yi Fang, who owns I-Beauty Medispa, said she personally trains her 10 beauticians. Not a registered TCM practitioner, Ms Chen said she studied the techniques in Shanghai before developing a weight-loss technique five years ago. More centres adopting similar treatments have popped up since, but Ms Chen does not think customers would be in danger if less-trained hands offer these treatments. "But customers won't have good results," she said. However, Dr Jiang, who has practised TCM for 17 years, cautioned that untrained beauticians could cause harm even if they do not use needles. For example, they may not realise that not all women are suitable for acupressure massage, she said. For instance, it could halt milk production for breastfeeding mothers. Or, without proper control, those who use "cupping" therapy could also cause blisters. "If there are problems, it affects the name of TCM. Customers may not know the difference between registered TCM practitioners and unlicensed beauticians," Dr Jiang said. A MOH spokesperson has advised "consumers to exercise discretion and only consult registered TCM practitioners for TCM services". Executive director for Case Seah Seng Choon advised consumers to seek a medical opinion before embarking on a slimming programme. "Consumers should also check if the treatment would be carried out by an experienced staff, and whether there are any hidden costs involved," he added. The list of registered TCM practitioners can be found on the TCM Practitioners Board's website: www.tcmpb.gov.sg

CNA - Singapore to Cooperate with China on TCM

Singapore to cooperate with China on TCM
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 November 2009 2307 hrs

Singapore has signed a plan to cooperate with China on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

In a blog entry, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that 15 per cent of Singaporeans visit a TCM physician instead of a general practitioner when sick - a market share that has remained stable for years.

Many Singaporeans use both Chinese drug stores and Western pharmacies. There is also now a TCM presence in all public hospitals.

Mr Khaw said that one key objective is to encourage joint research, so that robust scientific evidence, such as clinical trials, can be brought to bear on this ancient wisdom.

- CNA/sc

关心一下。Pollution in China

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/