Hong Kong DoH publishes herb standards

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Hong Kong?s Department of Health has published a reference standard of 28 commonly used Chinese herbs in Phase III of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards.

Hong Kong’s Department of Health has published a reference standard of 28 commonly used Chinese herbs in Phase III of the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards.

HKCMMS Phase III sets out the name, source and description of the 28 herbs, as well as methods of identification (including microscopic identification, thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatographic fingerprinting).

The research, commissioned by the department, aims to provide recommendations on the safety and quality reference standard of commonly used herbs in the local market. According to the department the establishment of these standards could provide the basis for further research, and, with rising global interest in the use of Chinese medicines, could help promote the international herbal trade.

The research was conducted by teams from six local universities; City University of Hong Kong; the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the Hong Kong Baptist University; the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and the University of Hong Kong. The State Food and Drug Administration as well as the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China also provided valuable advice and support for the project.

The standards are accessible at www.dh.gov.hk

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