CHINA - TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

 

 

1949 Constitution contains policy on TM; 

TM/CAM unit or department within ministry of health: 

State Administration of Traditional and  Complementary Medicine (TCM);

 

Regulation of herbal products products industry: 

Regulation — Yes 

Pharmacopoeia includes herbs;
List of essential drugs includes herbal medicine;

Manufacturers                        
600

Herbal farmers                 
340 000

Human TM resources:  

TCM doctors                                             525.000

TCM/AM doctors                                         10.000

TCM pharmacist                                         83.000

TCM associate doctors                              72.000

AM pharmacist                                           55.000

Practice at all levels including public hospitals (i.e. if practised in public hospitals, TM/CAM are integrated into national health system:  

TCM hospitals                                        
2.500

TCM/AM hospitals                                       
39

Total beds                                            
35.000

TM hospitals for minority groups            
127

Health insurance coverage for treatment and products:  

 Full; 

National and state research institutes              
170

Official education at university  level that covers both TM and AM for doctors, pharmacists and nurses: 

TCM universities                                      
30

TM colleges for minority groups              
3

Medical technology schools f TCM        
51

                The three systems of WHO

To describe the degree of official recognition of traditional medicine, the WHO has defined three systems.
In a Integrative System the TM/CAM are officially recognized and incorporated into all areas of health care.  

They are included in the national drug policy; providers and products are registered and regulated; therapies are available in hospitals and clinics, public and private; treatment is reimbursed by health insurance and there is teaching and research of TM/CAM. China, North Korea, South Korea and Vietnam are some examples.

WHO 2002