Research

[Guest guest]

Jim, Stephen and Everyone

>

> Those with money get to make choices. How do

> you propose that

> research to prove the efficacy of CM be

> organized and financed?

>

> What is your first priority to research?

>

 

This is a theme that we've been working

to develop in CAOM. I've just handed over

to production the next batch of papers

from last year's meeting at Exeter University

(outside of London) conducted by Steve Birch

Richard Hammerschlag and a dozen or so of

their colleagues in the field of research

into traditional forms of medicine from

East Asia.

 

They'll appear in the December issue and

as always we'll welcome input from anyone

with a cogent point to make on the subject.

 

The Chinese are pressing ahead rapidly.

In every new high tech development zone

there is a Life Sciences division, and

I've not seen a single one come into

view that lacks at least one operation

focused on R & D of TCM medicines and

modalities. It's really quite stunning

to see this level of activity.

 

Far more than a crack in the wall

seen from the perspective of conditions

in China. Of course there is far less

of an issue with marketability of

products and therefore flow of capital

to justify such expenditures here in

China. But a good deal of the current

tooling up of R & D is aimed at increasing

market share of Chinese interests in

the international marketplace and is

thus looking at ways to scientifically

validate the efficacy of traditional

methods and medicines.

 

Another big push that is underway

in the PRC is adoption of a whole

new set of quality control standards

and practices to govern the chaos

of production and distribution of

medicinals...and here this concerns

both modern pharmaceutical medicines

as well as traditional formulas and

products. New laws were passed last

December, and new regulations have

just now gone into effect that allow

local provincial authorities to

arrest and fine retailers who purchase

from uncertified producers/wholesalers.

 

With the twofold push for R & D and

establishment of a new baseline of

quality control the Chinese aim

I believe to create a sound foundation

from which they can launch near future

initiatives to capture a greater share

of the international trade in traditional

Chinese medicines.

 

So I think it is worth everyone's time

to pay some attention to what's going

on over here, as it is likely to impact

on everyone's future in one way or another.

 

In fact, I find a good deal to be

optimistic about in the current pushes.

 

But as always, all we can do is wait

and see.

 

As I believe Alon was pointing out,

there is no lack of studies availalbe

which could be redone in Western clinics,

and as I mentioned at the top of this

post, there is a mounting effort on the

part of some highly capable individuals

to tackle the difficult issues related

to the design and conduct of such

studies so as to make them effective

in looking at what they purport to

study and acceptable to Western scientific

standards.

 

I urge and welcome input from anyone

on this topic.

 

Ken