Advisory Committee on Chinese Medicine Development Fund set up

     The Food and Health Bureau announced today (March 1) the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Chinese Medicine Development Fund to advise and make recommendations to the Government on matters relating to the overall administration and operation of the Fund. 
      
     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said, "The Chief Executive's 2018 Policy Address announced the establishment of a $500 million dedicated fund. We aim to provide Chinese medicine practitioners and Chinese medicine drug sectors with financial support through the Fund to jointly promote the development of Chinese medicine and enhance the overall standard of the industry, by nurturing talent necessary for the Chinese medicine hospital development and promoting Chinese medicine-related studies and scientific research as well as providing assistance to local Chinese medicine traders in enhancing the quality and standards of production and registration of proprietary Chinese medicines in accordance with statutory requirements. It is also intended to enhance public knowledge and understanding of Chinese medicine."

     The Committee, for which the Chairman and members are appointed by the Secretary for Food and Health, comprises representatives from the sectors of Chinese medicine practitioners, Chinese medicine drugs, testing and certification, and healthcare, as well as experts, academics and lay persons with rich experience in business management and public administration. The appointments will take effect from March 1, 2019, to February 28, 2021, for a term of two years. The Hong Kong Productivity Council will be serving as the secretariat. 

     Membership of the Committee is as follows:

Chairperson
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Mr Douglas So Cheung-tak

Members
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Professor Bian Zhaoxiang
Dr Chan Kei-wai
Mr Chan Wing-suen
Ms Anne Chuah Ah-poh
Dr Feng Yibin
Miss Lam Pui-yan
Ms Serena Lau Sze-wan
Mr Lee Kaiping
Dr Liong Ching
Mr Gerry Ma Kwai-yung
Dr Or Ka-hang
Ms Wang Huimin
Mr Wong Ka-on
Professor Justin Wu Che-yuen

Ex-officio Members
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Representative(s) from the Food and Health Bureau
Representative(s) from the Department of Health
Representative(s) from the Hospital Authority
Representative(s) from the Innovation and Technology Commission 

     The Government, together with the Committee, will work closely with the Chinese medicine practitioners and Chinese medicine drug sectors and relevant stakeholders to ensure the Fund effectively serves its purpose of promoting the development of Chinese medicine.