China establishes TCM inter-departmental system

As part of China's health drive, the State Council has decided to establish an inter-departmental conference system for coordinated work on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), said the State Council website Thursday.

The inter-departmental system will allow different government agencies to better coordinate their work concerning TCM, including regulation and publicity, and policy implementation.

Leading the new system is the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, together with members from 35 other government bodies, including the National Health and Family Planning Commission, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, and the China Food and Drug Administration.

The move is part of five-year guidelines to develop TCM, as issued by the State Council earlier this year. Endi