January 12, 2012
For immediate release
Backgrounder: Traditional Chinese Medicine - Advisory Committee
TORONTO - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced today the creation of a national advisory committee on Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs)
"Our Government has benefited from ongoing discussions with the Traditional Chinese Medicine community." said Minister Aglukkaq. "Since a growing number of Canadians are using traditional Chinese and other natural health products, I'm looking forward to learning more about how we can help ensure Canadians have access to a wide range of safe and effective options."
"I am confident that this new committee will provide a valuable link to Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, manufacturers and retailers, helping us to stay abreast of this exciting and interesting health field," said Parliamentary Secretary Colin Carrie.
The mandate of the new committee is to provide Health Canada's Natural Health Products Program Directorates with advice on current and emerging issues related to Traditional Chinese Medicines such as the importation, sale, and use of TCMs in Canada, including novel TCMs.
Committee membership will be comprised of stakeholder representatives from industry, consumer, patient, health care professional, academic and government organizations and groups.
More than 1, 400 TCMs are currently authorized for sale in Canada. Recognizing their unique nature, roundtable discussions were held in Vancouver and Toronto in the Fall of 2011 to hear the TCM community's view on the regulation of these products in Canada.
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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
