TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Chinese medicine practitioners protested the government’s decision to relax regulations on distributing traditional medicine ingredients at a large rally in Taipei on Sunday.
The event was held on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office and drew around 5,000 people opposed to a revised interpretation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, UDN reported. The event was the second phase of a two-part protest that began on Tuesday with a flash mob outside the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHOW).
On March 18, the MHOW published a revised interpretation of Article 103 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which will significantly lower barriers to obtaining certification as a distributor of traditional medicines. Protestors have demanded that the government withdraw the measure, saying it will jeopardize public safety and damage their industry.
Article 103 was originally intended to protect the legacy of well-established businesses involved in the importation and distribution of ingredients used in traditional medicine. However, with fewer and fewer businesses becoming approved for the activity, the industry in Taiwan has been shrinking at an alarming rate in recent years.
The government is concerned that the current situation may lead to some businesses monopolizing the supply chain for traditional medicine practitioners. The MHOW introduced the reinterpretation to revitalize the industry and incentivize new suppliers and practitioners.
The controversial portion of MHOW’s new interpretation regarding the certification for distributors reads:
“Chinese medicine practitioners who hold a certificate to distribute traditional medicine and graduates of Chinese medicine programs or pharmacy-related majors who have completed core courses in Chinese medicine and have interned for more than one year can register as distributors of traditional medicine.”
Groups like the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists stridently criticized the move to relax certification measures, saying that the MHOW has arbitrarily undermined the purpose of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, reported LTN.
They argue that an extensive apprenticeship and a national exam certification should be the standard to obtain a license to distribute medical ingredients in Taiwan. Protestors at Sunday’s rally say the new rules, which require only the equivalent of a master’s degree and a year of apprenticeship, will make buying medical items no different than shopping for groceries.
In contrast, the MHOW and the National Union of Taiwan Medicine Association argue that the industry is rapidly declining. They say swift measures are needed to attract new talent and spur growth.
