PROFILE
Background
In 1994, a Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine
was appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Singapore
to review the practices of Traditional Medicine (TM),
and to recommend measures to safeguard patients’
interests and safety.
It was also tasked with enhancing the standards of
training for TM practitioners and tightening the control
of Chinese Medicinal Materials (CMM). Following the
recommendations from the Committee and acceptance
by the Ministry in 1995, it became the foundation
for the regulation of TM in Singapore. During this
time, the Singapore Government also encouraged the
TM industry and its associations to form a committee
to foster greater understanding between regulators
and traders, as well as to progressively upgrade the
professionalism of all relevant parties. The Singapore
TCM Organisations Committee (STOC) was thus formed.
Date Established
11 April 1995
Objectives
To bridge the gap between regulators and the TM business
community
To raise the professionalism of TM traders
To promote the development of the TM industry
To collaborate with relevant associations and authorities
concerned
Main Activities
| • |
Successfully held
a grand Gala Millennium Dinner in 2000, symbolizing
the unity of the TCM industry in Singapore and
its ambitions to develop TCM into a modern industry
in Singapore.
|
| • |
Establishing
the Singapore TCM College. The syllabus taught
at the College has been endorsed by the Traditional
Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board [TCMPB]
and accepted by the Ministry of Health. The
training conducted for herbal dispensers in
the College has also received a favourable
response from Dr. Xiaorui Zhang, the World
Health Organisation’s [WHO] Coordinator,
TM Department. STOC has also shared its experience
in CMM education with neighbouring countries.
As Chairman of the Academic Committee of the
College, Mr. Lee Tiong Sa was also invited
to attend a seminar held jointly by WHO and
FIP [International Pharmaceutical Federation]
in Beijing in early September 2007 to speak
about the CMM education system in Singapore. |
| • |
Communicating
with regulators on a regular basis, especially
with the Health Sciences Authority [HSA],
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority [AVA],
Productivity and Standards Board [PSB] Academy,
and the Consumers Association of Singapore
[CASE].
|
| • |
Responding
to national health related issues/emergencies,
such as SARS and healthcare campaigns etc.
|
| • |
Working
together with regulators. In 2006, STOC was
involved in the 5th ASEAN Consultative Committee
for Standards And Quality [ACCSQ], Traditional
Medicine and Health Supplement Product Working
Group [TMHS PWG] meeting in Singapore. Both
Mr. Lee Tiong Sa and Mr. David S C Tang were
actively involved in the Organizing Steering
Committee for this event. |
Number of Members
In total, STOC has over 700 TM enterprises and shops
under its five associations.
Market Overview
In 2008, the total value of imports and exports for
Traditional Medicines and health supplements was approximately
S$5.789b with imports amounting to S$1.247b and exports
amounting to S$4.542b.
Currently, only Chinese Proprietary Medicines (CPM)
which include formulated products in the form of tablets,
capsules, pills, granules, powders and syrups are regulated
under Singapore laws. Up to end Nov 2009, 8,767 items
of CPM products were approved for sale in the market
with one quarter of them produced locally. In Singapore
alone, there are about 24 manufacturers, 27 re-packers,
168 importers, 249 wholesalers, and more than 600 retailers.
ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
Singapore Chinese Medicines And Health Products
Merchant Association
346A King George’s Avenue Singapore 208577
Telephone: (65)6293 8019
Fax: (65)6293 5803
Email: meheproassn@yahoo.com.sg
Website: www.tcm.org.sg
Year Established - 1981
Represented Trade
- Importers and manufacturers of traditional medicines,
health supplements, medicated lacquer, tea, medical
instruments and surgical dressings.
Singapore Chinese Druggists Association
119 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207547
Telephone: (65)6298 4740
Fax: (65)6299 3528
Email: scdassn@singnet.com.sg
Website: www.sdca.org.sg
Year established - 1940
Represented Trade
- Retailers, wholesalers, importers and manufacturers
of Chinese medicines.
Singapore Chinese Drug Importers & Exporters
Guild
2 Alexandra Road, #02-07 Delta House, Singapore 159919
Telephone: (65)6278 2270
Fax: (65)6275 4900
Email:
davetang@pacific.net.sg
Year Established - 1941
Represented Trade
-Importers, dealers and manufacturers of Chinese herbal
and traditional medicines.
The Medicine Manufacturing Association of
Singapore
132 Neil Road , Singapore 088861
Telephone: (65)6224 5379
Fax: (65)6227 4637
Email: fwl.wenken@pacific.net.sg
Year Established - 1979
Represented Trade
- Manufacturers and traders of Chinese medicines.
Singapore Chinese Medical Union
21 Tyrwhitt Road, #05-04 Foo Chow Building, Singapore
207530
Telephone: (65)6296 2645
Fax: (65)6296 5053
Email: scmutcm@singnet.com.sg
Year Established - 1929
Represented Trade
- TCM practitioners and traders.
