Section one: International Exchanges for Traditional Medicine
In response to the WHO's emphasis on developing traditional medicine, many countries worldwide have promulgated traditional medicine-related laws and measures. Taiwan has a well-developed traditional medicine management system and a wealth of experience in traditional medicine quality control and professional training. We are willing to share our experience with other nations to foster international exchanges in traditional medicine and contribute towards the thriving development of the regional economy. From 2013 to 2019, 160 persons from 15 countries visited the Ministry to share their experiences in traditional medicine management. (Figure 4-1)
Figure 4-1: Group photo with Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM) of Ministry of Public Health from Thailand in 2019
To broaden the international influence of Taiwan's traditional medicine, the Ministry has proactively attended international conferences on traditional medicine, including those of the International Society of Oriental Medicine (ISOM), the Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine (CGCM) and the Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association (GP-TCM RA). Particularly, the Ministry occupies a Representative Director's seat in ISOM, and we have actively participated in the society's events over the years (Figure 4-2). Taiwan has held 5 International Congress of Oriental Medicine (ICOM) conferences. In 2017, we won the first Taiwanese presidency in more than 40 years. We hosted the 19th International Congress of Oriental Medicine (ICOM) in 2018. The Vice President gave a speech at the conference. More than 1,000 experts and scholars from 7 countries participated. The development of traditional medicine in Taiwan has received international attention and recognition.
Figure 4-2: The 19th International Congress of Oriental Medicine in 2018
Countries highlighted in Taiwan's New Southbound Policy all have their own localized traditional medicines. In response to the New Southward Policy, since 2017 the Ministry has gathered information on traditional medicine-related laws, policies and regulations from countries highlighted in the Policy, in order to analyze their respective market potential, appraise the needs of the Taiwan traditional medicine industry, and promulgate traditional medicine development and exchanges with New Southbound Policy countries. From 2017 to 2019, the Ministry hosted 8 traditional medicine-related international symposia and workshops. A total of 93 officials and experts from 6 countries participated, exchanging ideas and information pertinent to issues such as traditional medicine management regulations, and traditional medicine and modern medicine integration (Figure 4-3). The Ministry also published the “Guideline on Regulations for Registration of Traditional Medicinal Products in Malaysia and Singapore” and “Guideline on Regulations for Registration of Traditional Medicinal Products in Vietnam” in an effort to facilitate the entry of Taiwan's traditional medicine industry into the New Southbound Policy markets (Figure 4-4).
Figure 4-3: TCM International Events
Figure 4-4: Guideline on Regulations for Registration of Traditional Medicinal Products in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam
Section Two: Journal of Traditional and Conplementary Medicine
In advancing the internationalization of TCM research in Taiwan, the Ministry established the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (JTCM) in 2011 (Figure 4-5). This international academic journal encompasses fields such as Chinese medicine, Chinese herbs and formulae, and integrated Western and Chinese medicine, featuring a collection of peer-reviewed articles pertinent to traditional medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, preventive medicine, dietetics, as well as the history and culture of traditional medicine. Currently, JTCM is featured on the following 14 academic platforms: PubMed, Caspur, CINAHL, DOAJ, EBSCO, Publishing's Electronic Databases, Google Scholar, OpenJGate, ProQuest, SCOLOAR, SCOPUS, Summon by Serial Solutions, Tropical Diseases Bulletin, and Airiti Library.
Figure 4-5: Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Since the first issue, the Journal has been published quarterly, with 4 issues per year. At least 10 articles are published in every issue, reviewed and edited by 47 expert reviewers from 19 countries. In 2015, in collaboration with Elsevier, JTCM became available on the Elsevier platform, and the number of article downloads increased considerably (Figure 4-6). JTCM was globally ranked 54th, 23rd, 11th, 9th, and 5th respectively, in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 by Scimago Journal & Country Rank in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, making it a Q1 (top 25%) journal. Efforts will be made to transform JTCM into an SCI international electronic academic journal of TCM.
Figure 4-6: Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine total downloads