China to amend codex of traditional Chinese medicine

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

 ◆ China to amend codex of traditional Chinese medicine

China is going to make major amendments to its "constitution" of Chinese medicine -- the Codex of Chinese Medicine -- in six major aspects so as to promote standardization and modernization, a senior medical expert said on Monday.

Since 1985, China has amended the codex every five years in order to recruit new technologies. The amendment, set for 2005, would be the eighth revision and included changes in six fields, according to Qian Zhongzhi, director of the Chinese medicine department of the national formulary committee.

The amendment would increase and alter the kinds of medicine listed, to cover medicines used in all clinical departments.

The standardization of methods and conditions in testing Chinese medicines was a major task covered by the amendment, as was the improvement and raising of the safety index, Qian noted.

The amendment also underlined the adoption of modern technologies in analyzing component ingredients of Chinese medicine, and increased the use of modern equipment in analysis, according to Qian.