Modern Chinese medicine has gained a certain degree of international recognition, but there are still challenges to achieve widespread acceptance:
Current Status of International Recognition
Inclusion in International Organizations and Standards: Some elements of TCM have been included in the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, such as Chinese acupuncture and Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa. The Huang Di Nei Jing and Ben Cao Gang Mu have been listed in the Memory of the World Register. The World Health Organization (WHO) has included acupuncture and moxibustion in its list of diseases that can be treated by TCM.
Spreading and Demand: TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions, and TCM products and services are in great demand at international events like the China International Fair for Trade in Services. Every year, a large number of international students come to China to study TCM.
Clinical Application and Research: In some countries, TCM is used as an alternative or complementary therapy. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, TCM was used in the treatment of patients in China and some other countries, and its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms and improving patients' conditions has been recognized to some extent. Some international research institutions and universities are also conducting research on TCM, exploring its mechanisms of action and potential applications.
Challenges to Widespread Recognition
Cultural Differences: The theoretical system and diagnostic and treatment methods of TCM are quite different from those of Western medicine, which may lead to difficulties in understanding and acceptance by people from different cultural backgrounds.
Lack of Scientific Evidence: Some Western medical communities question the efficacy and safety of TCM due to the lack of rigorous clinical trial data and scientific research evidence that meet international standards.
Regulatory Barriers: The registration and approval of TCM products as prescription drugs in some Western countries are still facing difficulties. The complex components and quality control of TCM products make it difficult to meet the strict requirements of Western drug regulatory agencies.
Standardization and Quality Control: The standardization of TCM diagnosis and treatment, as well as the quality control of TCM products, need to be further improved to ensure the consistency and reliability of therapeutic effects.