Regulated system: Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan shows the Chinese medicine trader licence and transitional certificate.

The Chinese medicine trader licensing system and the import and export control of Chinese medicines will take effect January 11, to boost traders' standard and safeguard public health.

Under the licensing system, traders retailing or wholesaling Chinese herbal medicines and manufacturers or wholesalers of proprietary Chinese medicines must obtain a licence from the Chinese Medicine Council's Chinese Medicines Board. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a $100,000 fine and two years' jail.

Meanwhile, the import and export control of more than 36 types of Chinese herbal medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance will also be implemented.

Strengthened control

Director of Health and Chinese Medicines Board Chairman Dr Lam Ping-yan said today the move will strengthen control of Chinese medicines and better combat the illegal use of the business. It will also improve monitoring of Chinese medicines imported into and exported out of Hong Kong.

As of December the board had issued 7,000 Chinese medicines trader licences and transitional certificates. Licences are issued subject to the applicants' compliance with legal requirements on premises, hygiene, storage, facilities and personnel qualifications.

The public should buy Chinese medicines only from licensed traders who must apply for a licence. Unlicensed traders must stop business on January 11.

On the registration of proprietary Chinese medicines, Dr Lam said so far about 16,000 applications have been received, adding the first batch of approved applications will be made public in this year's first quarter.

More details about the licensing system and import and export control can be found here. Questions? Call 2574 9999.