WHO Hosts Expert Meeting in Hong Kong to Develop International Herbal Pharmacopoeia Standards

WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China

The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines.

The Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health (DH), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHOCC), is supporting the WHO in organising the meeting, taking part in drafting selected herbal medicine monographs and contributing to related technical work.

The WHO recognises the important role of traditional medicine in healthcare systems worldwide and the need for its evidence-based integration. The development of the IHP aims to support harmonised quality standards for herbal medicines, strengthen regulatory capacity and help ensure the quality and safety of traditional medicine products. This work aligns with Strategic Objective 2 of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2025.

The Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration Unit, Global Traditional Medicine Centre of the WHO, Dr Kim Sungchol, delivered opening remarks. He expressed the WHO's appreciation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for its support for the meeting, and to the WHOCC for its close collaboration. He also acknowledged the important contributions of collaborating technical teams to the development of the IHP.

The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, "The HKSAR was honoured to support the WHO's important work in developing the IHP. To align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to advance the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of Chinese medicine, expand and strengthen the Chinese medicine industry and promote Chinese medicine culture, the DH will continue to steadfastly promote the development of Chinese medicine and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. The DH will fully leverage the HKSAR's expertise in developing herbal medicine standards, testing and quality control. We will work closely with the WHO and international experts to contribute to the standardisation, safety and quality of traditional herbal medicines, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of humanity."

Dr Lam also briefed participants on Hong Kong's work in developing safety and quality standards for Chinese medicines, telling good stories of Hong Kong.

Dr Lam said, "The DH has developed the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards since 2002, with 12 volumes published covering standards for 357 Chinese Materia Medica. The project has gained international recognition, with its scientific findings cited by overseas authorities and international journals. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the DH, which is equipped with advanced technology and equipment, will continue to develop Chinese Medicine testing methods and standard development capabilities and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicine in the HKSAR. Leveraging the HKSAR's unique advantages under 'one country, two systems', with strong support of the motherland and close connections with the world, Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the wider global dissemination of Chinese medicine and establish the HKSAR as a bridgehead for Chinese Medicine to go global."

The HKSAR has continued to support the WHO's work on the development of the IHP. Following the WHO meeting organised with the support of the DH in Hong Kong, China, in November 2024 to discuss the roadmap and working mechanism for the development of the IHP, this meeting marks another important occasion on which the HKSAR supports the WHO in advancing this important international initiative.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines. Photo shows the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (front row, fourth right); the Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration Unit, Global Traditional Medicine Centre of the WHO, Dr Kim Sungchol (front row, fourth left); the Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the Department of Health, Dr Fung Ying (front row, third left), and other participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines. Photo shows the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, addressing the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines. Photo shows the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, addressing the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming local male passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 78-year-old local male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on July 15 and seized 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal belongings. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $6,200 and the duty potential was about $4,500. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases