Policy Address

247. For the development of Chinese medicines, the Innovation and Technology Commission will continue to support scientific research and development in this area and encourage the use of scientific evidence in establishing the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicines in line with the concept of “evidence-based medicine”. It also supports the industry’s efforts in development and innovation, and modernisation of their production and quality control. Moreover, the DH will continue to compile the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards. So far, the DH has set reference standards for some 230 Chinese materia medica commonly used in Hong Kong, and commenced in 2015-16 a pilot study on the reference standards for Chinese medicines decoction pieces.

248. The Government is actively planning the establishment of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute to be managed by the DH. The Institute will employ state-of-the-art technology and scientific research to develop a set of internationally-recognised reference standards for Chinese medicines and related products. It will help empower the industry through transfer of technology to strengthen quality control of products, establish the brand image of Hong Kong in Chinese medicines, and develop Hong Kong into an international hub for scientific research on Chinese medicines testing and quality control.

249. Pending the establishment of the permanent Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, a temporary one will be set up in the Science Park and commence operation in phases from the first quarter of this year. The temporary institute will start some of the work as soon as possible, including the continued development of reference standards for Chinese materia medica and decoction pieces, research on high-end biological and chemical technologies applicable to Chinese materia medica and medicines, and preparation for the establishment of a digitalised herbarium on Chinese medicines of international standard.

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