Consultation on amendments to the limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong commences

     On behalf of the Chinese Medicines Board (CMB) under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK), the Department of Health (DH) today (March 31) released a public consultation document regarding amendments to the limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong to seek views from the Chinese medicines trade and members of the public on the amendments to the limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong. The consultation period will last for six months until September 30, 2021.

     The CMCHK is a statutory body established under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (the Ordinance). The CMCHK is responsible for implementing regulatory measures for Chinese medicine practitioners and Chinese medicines, including setting limits for harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines (total 605 Chinese herbal medicines listed in Schedules 1 and 2 of the Ordinance).

     As the relevant standards published in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020 Edition) has come into effect in December, 2020, the CMB has set up a working group to comprehensively review and advise on the limits of harmful residues in Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong (including aflatoxins, heavy metals and toxic elements and pesticide residues) and the related measures for implementation. Upon deliberation, the working group (comprising representatives and experts of the Chinese medicines trade, representatives of the testing industry, etc) proposes a series of amendments, consultation and related measures for implementation in phases. The CMB agrees with the working group's proposal after discussion and commences a six-month consultation exercise to seek views from members of the industry and public on the proposed amendments.

     The consultation document is available at the website of the CMCHK (www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/#main_news.htm).
           
     Members of the Chinese medicines trade and the public are welcome to offer views on the proposed amendments by post (16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon), by fax (2319 2664) or by email (safetylimit@cmchk.org.hk or safetylimit@dh.gov.hk) on or before September 30, 2021.