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Thread: Regulations and Degree reciprocity

  1. #1
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    Regulations and Degree reciprocity

    This is probably more about Taiwan/PRC politics than anything else. Nevertheless, reciprocity is a topic of interest as TCM goes global, don't you think?

    Updated Thursday, November 12, 2009 9:23 am TWN, The China Post news staff
    Cabinet upholds ban on Chinese medicine degrees
    TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Despite a plea from a visiting Chinese province chief, the Executive Yuan reiterate yesterday that Taiwan will not recognize the academic credentials of Chinese medicine school graduates from mainland China, according to the United Evening News.

    Liang Bao-hua, chief of the Chinese Communist Party in Jiangsu Province arrived at Taipei on Tuesday to meet with Chairman Chiang Pin-kung of the Strait Exchange Foundation.

    Liang said that he appealed for more than 400 Taiwan students who earned medicine-related degrees in China, asking that the government would approve their educational qualifications in Taiwan.

    In response to Liang's request, Chao Chien-ming from the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said that the government will not change its current policy to admit China medicine-related qualifications in Taiwan.

    Instead, the government will promote the act to recognize non-medical academic qualifications from China and allow students to study in Taiwan.

    Approximately forty top universities in China, including Peking University, Tsinghua University and Shanghai Fudan University, have been put on the approval list that will be sent to the Legislative Yuan, said Chao.

    According to Chao, the bill of recognizing educational qualifications from China had been send to the Legislative Yuan last year and will be discussed in a meeting with the government on Friday. The MAC hopes to make the bill pass before January when the term of the national assembly ends.
    Gene Ching
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    A mixture of both with the political predominating!
    Hong Kong degree credentials would be more acceptable in the UK than a mainland Chinese degree.

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    China-Trained TCMDs no longer welcome in Taiwan?

    This piece of news popped up on one of the acupuncture/TCM newsfeeds, but now I can't find the feed in question. Does anyone have any more info on this?
    "It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." -Cicero

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    Ok, It was an article in the China Daily Post, Nov 11 2009. I can't access the site though. Here's a mirror link, but again, my connection is acting weird today, can't access the full article.

    http://www.silobreaker.com/cabinet-u...33465759776773

    I'm not sure now if it's TCM or Chinese-trained Western Med grads they're talking about...?
    "It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." -Cicero

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    It may be for all medical degrees, but the Official Kuomingtang Website, a press release makes very brief mention of Taiwanese TCM students studying in Jiangsu Provence, and their concerns regarding Taiwan's limited recognition of degrees from Mainland China. It seems it is an ongoing issue, and Taiwan is keeping its stance, though conceding to recognize non-medical academic degrees.

    cheers

    herb ox

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    Wait, this is the same issue as the article Gene posted. Merging threads...

    herb ox

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    Well, they'll take their herbs

    That's kind of funny given PRCs level of quality control for exports...
    Taiwan gets most of its herbal medicine from China: report
    Central News Agency

    2009-11-30 10:26 PM

    Taipei, Nov. 30 (CNA) A big chunk of Taiwan's imports of Chinese herbal and traditional medicines came from mainland China, the non-profit Development Center for Biotechnology reported Monday.

    Taiwan imported US$29.66 million worth of Chinese herbal medicine from the Chinese mainland in 2008, making the island China's fifth largest export market for this type of exports, Liu Tzu-hui, a researcher with the center, quoted a Chinese government customs report as indicating.

    According to Taiwan's customs statistics, however, the percentage of Taiwan's Chinese medicine imports from mainland China was even greater - at about 60-70 percent of its total imports of this type of product.

    Ginseng preparations made the bulk of these imports, constituting about 28.5 percent of the total, Liu said, citing Taiwanese official statistics.

    Taiwan's imports of Chinese herbal medicine materials from around the world, excluding prepared herbal medicines, totaled NT$2.42 billion (US$75 million) in 2008, according to the statistics.

    Liu said China is the world's major exporter of raw materials of Chinese herbal medicines and prepared herbal medicines as its production chain in this industry is well rounded, with a huge number of suppliers and processors.

    The quality of these medicines, however, was unstable and hard to control, said Liu.

    She noted that 30 percent of the prepared herbal medicines sold around China last year were found to be below standards by Chinese health authorities.

    Commenting on the wide gap between the import and export figures from Chinese and Taiwanese customs authorities, Liu said it is normal that the official figures from across the strait varied considerably since the two sides do not maintain any system of exchanging their customs data or any mechanism to verify the veracity of trade figures reported by the private importers and exporters.

    Meanwhile, Taiwan's exports of Chinese herbal medicine materials stood at NT$635 million for the same year, according to government statistics.

    According to Liu, Taiwan's locally-produced Chinese medicinal preparations made up about 10 percent of the country's total pharmaceutical output annually, and were worth between NT$5-6 billion.

    Taiwan's competitive edge over China is that it has well-developed production technology, solid research and development foundation and good brand name images, she added.
    Gene Ching
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneChing View Post
    That's kind of funny given PRCs level of quality control for exports...

    Actually, it is rational, given, as you noted, the PRC level of quality control export.
    With the raw product, you can control if it is actually as is stated, along with appropriate assays and continue with the next step until finished product.

    PRC's standards are truly way off base and lacking in the following.
    1. Genus and species identification - identity
    2. Heavy metal screen. Lead is often seen is even herbal medicine tablets!
    3. Solvent residue screen
    4. Potency assay
    5. Shelf life testing
    6. Aflatoxin screening

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    Lucky for us much of that is tested for by our distributors (though only a few) here in the states. With the new GMP practices outlined by the FDA hopefully we'll see more reliably "clean" products. The herbs I use are tested for aflotoxins, heavy metals, bacterial contamination and species identification, and I try to get the unsulfured versions as well...

    cheers

    herb ox

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    The best part is the photo

    Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine march against new rules
    Published On Sun Mar 07 2010
    Keith Beaty/Toronto Star

    New regulations proposed to govern the practice of traditional Chinese medicine in Ontario discriminate against the most qualified practitioners, say representatives of the profession.

    About 300 practitioners and their supporters marched Sunday along Dundas St. W. between Spadina Ave. and University Ave., to demand action from the province.

    In 2006, Ontario passed the Traditional Chinese Medicine Act to create a self-regulating profession, similar to the bodies that govern doctors, nurses, chiropractors and physiotherapists. Traditional Chinese medicine involves the use of acupuncture, herbal remedies and a holistic approach to treatment.

    However, a transitional council appointed by the government in 2008 to establish the regulations and standards to be overseen by the new governing body isn’t working in the best interest of the profession or the public, protestors said.

    The majority of people on the transitional council are not qualified in Chinese medicine and so not in a position to be drafting regulations, said Dr. Mona Zhang, speaking for the 2,000-member Federation of Ontario Traditional Chinese Medicine Associations.

    Zhang and fellow members are demanding the health ministry dissolve the council and appoint qualified representatives to draft non-discriminatory regulations.

    Her group is also calling into question the authenticity of one council member’s qualifications and wants the province to investigate.

    One proposal would require practitioners of acupuncture to work under the supervision of a regulated profession such as physicians, chiropractors or physiotherapists — something Chinese medicine practitioners say they can’t accept.

    “They are prepared to engage in civil disobedience to protest this racist policy,” said Jon Alexander, a Carleton University political science professor advising the protesters. “They won’t allow themselves to be supervised by needling amateurs .... They would much rather go to jail.”

    While most traditional Chinese medicine providers have years of training, they will end up being supervised by other unqualified health care professionals, he said.

    The province is regulating the profession because of the potential for harmful reactions between western drugs and herbal treatments, concerns some herbs may be toxic or of poor quality and fears that practitioners might cut corners in the sterilization of needles.
    Check out the protester's sign: STOP DESTROY CHINESE MEDICINE. That reads like you should stop and destroy TCM. It should be Stop Destroying Chinese Medicine but then the stop sign graphic wouldn't quite work. Some fine Chinglish at play there.

    Gene Ching
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneChing View Post
    Check out the protester's sign: STOP DESTROY CHINESE MEDICINE. That reads like you should stop and destroy TCM. It should be Stop Destroying Chinese Medicine but then the stop sign graphic wouldn't quite work. Some fine Chinglish at play there.

    Unbelievable.

  12. #12
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    At least they are trying.

    there are few companies out there that are advertising 100% organic Chinese Herbs.

    There are no such thing.

    There are many herbs that have been certified organic.

    Spring Wind goes out of their way to test for a huge list of pesticides.

    Others only test for a few.

    Kamwo Herbs in NYC offers some tested herbs as well as Nuherbs.

    Mayway advertises tested herbs as well.

    Beware anyone who tries to claim 100% organic herbs for all herbs. It does not exist at this time unless you are growing your own.
    Mouth Boxers have not the testicular nor the spinal fortitude to be known.
    Hence they hide rather than be known as adults.

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    In the UK

    Given the state of health care in the U.S., this is not on our radar now.
    Alternative Medicine to be Regulated
    Submitted by Jason Ramsey on Fri, 04/02/2010 - 10:59

    Andy Burnham, the Secretary of Health, has revealed that he was determined to regulate high-street herbal remedies, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. He said that he wishes to ensure that all suppliers of unlicensed medicines would register themselves with a regulator.

    The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council will ascertain that those who practice alternative medicine are appropriately trained. They will also guarantee that their practices are safe for the health of the patients.

    It has been reported that health authorities are making endeavors to analyze the utility and benefit of acupuncture within the NHS to help alleviate conditions such as lower back pain.

    However, critics are of the opinion that the proposals which are slated for implementation later this year are not all encompassing.

    It has been reported that the council will grant approval to those providing unlicensed herbal medicines if they are successful in convincing the council that they have the right training and experience, are willing to abide by a code of conduct and have insurance.

    Andy Burnham stated, “Emerging evidence clearly demonstrates that the public needs better protection, but in a way that does not place unreasonable extra burdens on practitioners”.
    Chinese medicine sellers face regulation crackdown
    By Jenny Hope
    Last updated at 1:24 AM on 02nd April 2010

    Shops and clinics selling herbal and Chinese medicine are to be regulated for the first time.

    Health Secretary Andy Burnham has indicated he will tighten the law in an attempt to protect the public from ill-trained and bogus practitioners.

    Almost 2,500 qualified herbalists and Chinese medicine practitioners will lose the right to supply a wide range of medicines because they are not signed up to a statutory regulation scheme.

    Fears have been raised about the lack of regulation around herbal and Chinese medicine, which is often sold via high street shops, online and in private clinics.

    Last month a judge criticised the lack of regulation after hearing of the case of Patricia Booth, 58, who was treated for a skin condition for five years with pills sold by a Chinese herbal medicine retailer - and later suffered bladder cancer and kidney failure.

    Mr Burnham said yesterday that he was ‘minded to legislate’ so practitioners supplying unlicensed medicines have to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.

    He has not yet decided whether to regulate acupuncture treatment.

    However, the CHNC is a voluntary body, unlike the Health Professions Council which oversees statutory regulation of chiropractors and osteopaths.

    Further talks are to be held with professional bodies and devolved governments before a decision is made on changing the law.

    Fears have been raised about the lack of regulation around herbal and Chinese medicine, which is often sold via high street shops, online and in private clinics.

    Last month a judge slammed the lack of regulation after hearing of the death of a Patricia Booth, 58, who was treated for five years with cancer-causing pills sold by a Chinese herbal medicine retailer.

    Mr Burnham insisted the new register 'will increase public protection' without placing 'unreasonable extra burdens on practitioners'.

    He has not yet decided whether to regulate acupuncture treatment.

    But the European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association said the plan was a 'cop-out' because the CHNC lacks the structure, staff, financial resources or legal power to provide statutory regulation.

    Chairman Michael McIntyre said 'Herbalists should be regulated like other statutorily regulated healthcare practitioners or the public will lose access to properly regulated herbalists and a wide range of herbal medicines.

    'The Government must give detailed assurances that the legal and structural basis of statutory regulation is fit for purpose or it will betray the millions of people who regularly consult herbal practitioners.

    'So far the Government has singularly failed to provide these guarantees.'

    At least six million Britons have consulted a herbal practitioner in the last two years, according to Ipsos Mori research.

    As many as one in 12 adults has used herbal medicines obtained from a Western or traditional Chinese practitioner.

    Prince Charles, a long-standing supporter of complementary therapies, met Mr Burnham when he voiced his support for formal regulation of herbal practitioners.

    Dr Michael Dixon, medical director to the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health, said he hoped a full statutory scheme would be introduced because 'light touch' regulation or licensing would fail to protect the public.

    He said 'It would be an extraordinary combination of carelessness about patient safety with more nanny state interference.

    'It could allow those with no more than 4 – 6 weeks basic training to access powerful herbs, prepare their own remedies and offer treatment to the public. That will risk more cases of serious harm to patients treated by inexperienced, inadequately trained practitioners.

    'A bizarre consequence of anything less than statutory regulation would be that, combined with EU rules, it would effectively ban even those with full training and qualifications from providing many herbal medicines currently in use. They would not be permitted access to manufactured or pre-prepared herbal remedies.

    Emma Farrant, secretary of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, said 'The CNHC was formed to regulate complementary health practitioners on a voluntary basis, and as currently constituted, is not equipped for statutory regulation.

    'The apparent decision to exclude acupuncturists from full regulation is bizarre and regrettable.'

    Mike O'Farrell, chief executive of the British Acupuncture Council, said 'It is our belief that statutory regulation is in the best interest of public health.'
    Gene Ching
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    A protest in Taiwan

    Unlicensed masseurs rally for 'right to survival'
    2010/05/02 19:51:06
    Taipei, May 2 (CNA) More than 1,000 unlicensed masseurs took to the streets Sunday to protest against the government's decision to ban them from clinics providing traditional Chinese medicine and treatment.

    The protesters rallied in front of the Cabinet-level Department of Health (DOH), where they shouted slogans that included: "We want licences, " "We want jobs" and "We want to live." Chang Chih-sheng, one of the protesters, complained that the government did not consult them or prepare any coping measures before making the decision to put them out of work.

    "Our modest request is that the government devise a testing mechanism to allow us to sit a test so that we can obtain a licence to continue our careers," Chang said.

    Another protester, who only gave his surname of Lee, said he has been working as a masseur at a Chinese medicine clinic for 20 years and that the government's sudden decision to outlaw his job has sunk him into a deep panic.

    "I will be out of a job and I will have great difficulty finding a new job," Lee said.

    Joblessness will be unavoidable even if the DOH gives a two-year buffer period for unlicensed masseurs to find other jobs, Lee said.

    A French man who was among the protesters said he regularly has Chinese massage to help alleviate the pain caused by work-related injuries.

    Noting that he feels relaxed and comfortable every time he has a Chinese massage, the man said Taiwan should spare no efforts to preserve this traditional folk therapy.

    Responding to the demonstrators' appeal, Shih Chung-liang, director of the DOH's Bureau of Medicine Affairs, said a licensing system might not be helpful for unlicensed masseurs.

    If such tests were devised and these unlicensed masseurs found themselves unable to pass, it could make the jobless situation for them even worse, Shih said. (By Chen Li-ting and Deborah Kuo)
    If these massage therapists have the experience, it shouldn't be too hard to pass some government standard test.
    Gene Ching
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    Back to the US

    Nice update on the national legal situation here.
    Acupuncture Not Legal

    A consortium of professional acupuncturist associations have combined to help make acupuncture legal in every state in the US and to promote Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM) education, research, and outreach with the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan. There are no laws governing acupuncturists in Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Two of the most recent states to legalize the acupuncture profession are Delaware in 2008 and Kentucky in 2006. One of the first states to create oversight for the practice of acupuncture was California in 1972 when the California Board of Medical Examiners began regulating acupuncture for use in medical schools. In 1975, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a law legalizing the practice of acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists and the California Acupuncture Board was created. In an interesting turn of events, Jerry Brown is again running for Governor which may support efforts to enhance accessibility to licensed acupuncturists should he win the race.

    Acupuncture organizations nationwide have combined to create the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan. This is a master plan that states, “By 2014, acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM), an independent, licensed profession, will be fully accessible to the public throughout American healthcare.” Key goals include promoting research, education, public awareness, and outreach. Also central to the plan is creating job opportunities for licensed acupuncturists in multiple healthcare settings. One important goal is to obtain federal recognition for licensed acupuncturists. Finally, the strategic plan seeks to achieve licensure for acupuncturists in every state. The participating organizations include: American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), Federation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies (FAOMRA), National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), National Federation of Chinese Traditional Chinese Medicine Organizations (NFCTCMO), and the Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR).

    A key element is working toward federal recognition of AOM under Medicare and by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Currently, the BLS does not recognise licensed acupuncturists as a standalone profession. The BLS recognizes acupuncture as a procedure that may be applied by nurses and chiropractors and not as a profession. Recognition is widely considered the first step towards gaining Medicare coverage for acupuncturist services by licensed acupuncturists.

    Section 3502 of the new health reform law recently signed by President Obama states that primary health care practitioners must “provide coordination of the appropriate use of complementary and alternative (CAM) services to those who request such services.” The goals of the AOM National Organizations Strategic Plan are synergistic with this legal provision. The new health reform law may help to move the BLS to formally recognize the acupuncture profession thereby opening the door to Medicare coverage for patients.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
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