Harper Government engages with Traditional Chinese Medicine community

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News Release
2011-135
October 14, 2011
For immediate release

VANCOUVER - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, held roundtable discussions today with members of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community to hear their perspectives on the regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Canada.

"Our government strongly supports enhancing Canadians' access to a wide range of safe and effective natural health products, including Traditional Chinese Medicines." said Minister Aglukkaq. "This roundtable event builds on the sound relationship between Health Canada and the TCM community, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this roundtable meeting today."

"Improving the health of Canadians is a priority for this government," said Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary on Health. "We recognize that there are many different approaches to maintaining and improving health, and for a growing number of Canadians, that approach includes the use of Traditional Chinese Medicines and other natural health products."

More than 1, 300 traditional Chinese Medicines are currently available for sale in Canada. Recognizing the unique nature of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Health Canada accepts information from both literature references to traditional use and modern scientific literature as evidence to support the safety and efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicines.

A second roundtable on Traditional Chinese Medicines will occur in Toronto later this year. 

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq (left), Minister of Health, and the Honourable Alice Wong (right), Minister of State (Seniors) participated in a roundtable discussion on October 14, 2011 with members of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) community, in Vancouver.

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Cailin Rodgers
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