TCM further incorporated into global medical system

BEIJING — A total of 45 international standards for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been issued by the ISO/TC249, a technical committee within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), authorities said on Nov 8.

TCM is being rapidly integrated into the international medical system and making greater contributions to human health and well-being, said the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

In accordance with initiatives of the Chinese government, the 62nd and 67th World Health Assemblies passed two resolutions on traditional medicine and member states were urged to implement the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023.

Traditional and complementary medicine is being used in 88 percent of the WHO member states.

Earlier this year, traditional medicine originating from TCM was incorporated into the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases at the 72nd World Health Assembly.

TCM has been spread to 183 countries and regions and registered as medical products in countries including Russia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

The Chinese government has signed specialized cooperation agreements on TCM with over 40 countries, regions and international organizations. Hundreds of TCM schools can be seen in more than 30 countries and regions.

China has dispatched medical teams to 69 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, most of which have TCM specialists. Over 400 TCM practitioners have been dispatched to help countries including Tanzania and Indonesia in disease prevention and treatment.