July 11, 2000
The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMC) announced that under the transitional arrangements, application for the registration of Chinese medicine practitioners would take place from August 16 to December 30 this (2000) year.
The Chairman of the CMC, Dr Daniel Tse Chi-wai, addressing a Press Conference today (July 11), said: "Persons who were practising Chinese medicine on January 3 this (2000) year, should submit their applications within the four-and-a-half-month period."
"Applicants will be allowed to continue practising Chinese medicine and use the title 'Chinese Medicine Practitioner' until their applications are rejected or until the end of the transitional period on such date as specified."
The Chairman of the CMC's Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board, Mr Cheung Tai-chiu and the Director of Health, Dr Margaret Chan were also present at today's Press Conference.
Established in September last (1999) year under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, the CMC is an independent statutory body responsible for implementing regulatory measures on the practice, use, manufacture and trading of Chinese medicine.
Two Boards are established under the CMC. The Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board is responsible for regulating the practice of Chinese medicine, while the Chinese Medicines Board is responsible for controlling the use, manufacture and trading of Chinese medicines. Six Committees are set up to assist the two Boards in pursuing their functions.
Dr Tse said that the CMC, two Boards and their Committees had held a total of 60 meetings during the past ten months.
Dr Tse said: "The CMC had formulated a detailed regulatory framework for the registration of Chinese medicine practitioners and subsidiary legislation to regulate the practice of Chinese medicine. The subsidiary legislation was passed by the Legislative Council at the end of last (June) month."
"For Chinese medicines, the CMC is formulating a detailed regulatory framework and subsidiary legislation. The subsidiary legislation will be submitted to the Legislative Council at the next Legislative Session. On enactment, the regulation of Chinese medicines will be implemented."
Dr Tse thanked Chinese medicine practitioners, manufacturers and traders, persons from various sectors of the community and Government Bureaux/Departments for their support in ensuring the smooth commencement of the applications for registration of Chinese medicine practitioners.
Mr Cheung Tai-chiu told the Press Conference he was most delighted that Hong Kong's Chinese medicine practitioners were accorded statutory professional status.
Mr Cheung emphasized that the registration system of Chinese medicine practitioners could ensure high standards of professional practice and conduct. Registered Chinese medicine practitioners must have the experience and academic qualifications recognized by the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board.
Registered Chinese medicine practitioners must also comply with the 'Code of Practice for Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners' compiled by the CMC."
"The registration system also requires registered Chinese medicine practitioners to undertake continuing education in Chinese medicine so they can keep themselves updated with the development of Chinese medicine," Mr Cheung said.
Under the transitional arrangements, Mr Cheung said, the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board would assess the experience and academic qualifications of applicants and categorize them into five types.
"Applicants may be exempted from the Licensing Examination and Registration Assessment and are eligible to apply for registration. They may be subject to the Registration Assessment or may be required to pass the Licensing Examination before they are eligible to apply for registration," he said.
Mr Cheung said the five types are:
* 1st Type -- Applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for 15 years or more immediately before January 3, 2000, will be exempted from the Licensing Examination and the Registration Assessment, and are eligible to apply for registration as Chinese medicine practitioner
* 2nd Type -- Applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for 10 years or more but less than 15 years immediately before January 3, 2000 and who had obtained an acceptable academic qualification, will be exempted from the Licensing Examination and the Registration Assessment, and are eligible to apply for registration as Chinese medicine practitioner
* 3rd Type -- Applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for 10 years or more but less than 15 years immediately before January 3, 2000 and who do not have an acceptable academic qualification, will be subject to the Registration Assessment conducted by the Chinese Medicine Practioners Board. If they pass the Registration Assessment, they will be exempted from the Licensing Examination, and are eligible to apply for registration as Chinese medicine practitioner
* 4th Type -- Applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for less than 10 years immediately before January 3, 2000 and who had obtained an acceptable academic qualification, will be subject to the Registration Assessment. If they pass the Registration Assessment, they will be exempted from the Licensing Examination, and are eligible to apply for registration as Chinese medicine practitioner
* 5th Type -- Applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for less than 10 years immediately before January 3, 2000 and who do not have an acceptable academic qualification, will have to pass the Licensing Examination in order to be registered as Chinese medicine practitioner
Dr Margaret Chan said: "In addition to establishing their statutory professional status, the commencement of registration of Chinese medicine practitioners is an important step forward in the development of Hong Kong as an international Chinese medicine centre."
"The Department of Health is responsible for providing executive support for the CMC to implementing regulatory measures on Chinese medicine."
"To tie-in with the applications for registration of Chinese medicine practitioners, the Department of Health would launch an extensive publicity and education programme to promote Chinese medicine."
From tomorrow (July 12), publicity leaflets and posters will be distributed at all District Offices of the Home Affairs Department, Out-patient Clinics of the Department of Health, Estate Offices of the Housing Department and the Secretariat of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong located on the 32nd Floor of Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai.
The Department of Health will set up two Hotlines (2574 9999 and 2574 4333) starting from the same day.
From August 1, application forms and application handbooks can be obtained from the Secretariat of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong and all District Offices during normal office hours. Application forms can also be obtained by fax via the two Hotlines.