In the Media

Highlights of Traditional Chinese Medicine news from around the world.

China collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop local capacity to produce antimalarial medicines in Africa

The WHO and China are providing technical support to the Tanzanian government for the production of antimalarial medicines derived from the Chinese herb qing hao (artemisia annua). Establishing the local production of this medicine in Tanzania is expected to reduce its price from around $7 to $2. In many countries in Africa, herbal medicines taken at home are the first line of treatment for those with fever symptoms resulting from malaria. The WHO estimates that over 30 percent of the populations in developing countries do not have access to "essential medicines." —WHO Media Centre

Legislation submitted to regulate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Ontario, Canada

"The regulation of TCM and acupuncture has finally become reality since our first application was submitted in 1994. This is indeed joyful news," said Professor Cedric Cheung, president of the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada, and vice president of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies. The proposed legislation would include the creation of a self-governing regulatory college, restricting the performance of acupuncture to regulated health professions, and a defined scope of practice with restricted titles that only members of the profession may use (this would include the use of the title "doctor" by certain members). TCM would be the first new health profession regulated in Ontario since 1991.

—Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care News Release

L'Oreal expands its R&D facilities in China

With an eye toward growing its research and development facilities in China, the French cosmetics giant L'Or�©al has purchased land in Pudong, Shanghai. The land is adjacent to the factory of Yue-Sai, a local Chinese cosmetics producer acquired by L'Oreal in 2004. Didier Saint-Leger, director of L'Or�©al R&D in China, commented, "We plan to integrate the philosophy of TCM into our products. It's a big subject and takes a lot of research."

—People's Daily Online