Ontario to regulate Chinese medicine
Guelph Mercury
Sat 30 Jul 2005
Page: A3
Section: LOCAL NEWS
Byline: JOANNE SHUTTLEWORTH
Source: MERCURY STAFF
Sherman Lai sees the province's plan to regulate traditional Chinese medicine as a positive sign, one that means his years of work in the field have not been in vain.
Ontario will become the second province in Canada to regulate traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture, herbs and tai chi as medical therapy.
"We owe it to the people of Ontario to ensure they are protected," Health Minister George Smitherman said yesterday in making the announcement.
"But at the same time, we have to realize traditional forms of medicine have helped a great number of people for a very long time."
Lai, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine who has practised in Guelph for nearly 25 years, said yesterday Smitherman's announcement "recognizes the legitimacy of this kind of medicine."
But he said the devil is in the details, "and that's what has to happen next -- the details.
"The government has to lay out the scope of practice and establish those regulatory bodies, and that will be a challenge."
Smitherman vowed yesterday that legislation to regulate traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture will be introduced before the end of the year.
The announcement came as a public consultation report on the topic was released.
The report lays out 10 recommendations for traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, acupuncturists, Chinese herbalists and Western health practitioners who incorporate acupuncture in their practices.
Among the recommendations is the establishment of a regulatory college for traditional Chinese medicine.
Lai was part of a team of advisors to former Health Minister Tony Clement who began exploring the idea of regulating alternative therapies when the Conservatives were in power.
As vice-president of the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Lai said it has taken decades for Western medicine to accept that ancient Eastern medical practices are valid.
He said there is substantial research that proves the 5,000-year-old practice is effective, "and yet we are still criticized as quackery.
"But I believe the future of medicine will be the marriage of Eastern and Western medicine. And this (regulation) will help."
Lai said most of the 9,000 patients on his roster come to him after they've exhausted all other avenues of medical help. Most are cancer patients, he said, or people suffering from chronic pain.
He said he has an 83 per cent success rate with infertile couples.
"You can't argue with that kind of success," he said.
Traditional Chinese medicine dates back 5,000 years and requires extensive study -- seven to 10 years -- at medical schools in China to become a practitioner.
Lai said there's a lot of skepticism in Canada, but there's also a growing body of Asian immigrants who prefer Chinese medicine to Western doctors.
Lai agreed the practice should be regulated, training should be standardized and linked to existing medical schools and universities, and clinical studies should be done to ensure the public it is safe and it works.
Dorianne Sauve, chief executive officer of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association, said yesterday acupuncture is "a growing field of study and many physiotherapists have been using it for a long time."
She said her association welcomes the proposed regulations, "but we are already a regulated profession."
She said some medical doctors, nurses, dentists and chiropractors are also trained in acupuncture.
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