ENG-2002 — Page 219

HEALTH

In 2002, a total of 80 201 tests on a wide range of food samples were carried out for surveillance and for compliance with the statutory standards. Further to the enactment of the Public Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation and the concurrent amendments to the Harmful Substances in Food Regulations, the Laboratory established a new section in April to focus on the testing of chemical residues in food animal products and live food animals for surveillance and statutory purposes. The Laboratory has also been actively involved in technological exchanges with Mainland counterparts with a view to strengthening technical capabilities in ensuring food safety and protecting public health.

The Laboratory has continued to provide a comprehensive analytical service to ensure the quality of Western and Chinese medicines that constitute an indispensable part of the health care system. In 2002, 39 567 tests were carried out on Western pharmaceutical products for compliance with the international or other acceptable standards in quality and safety; and 41 481 tests were made on proprietary Chinese medicines and herbal medicines for their heavy metal and pesticide residue content, and adulteration with Western drugs or controlled substances. In addition, the Laboratory undertook method development and research work pertaining to the examination of toxic Chinese herbal medicines.

The Laboratory sustained the year-round surveillance of tar and nicotine yield in cigarettes, with results published for public information and affirmation of the data declared by tobacco traders.

Chinese Medicine

The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, a statutory body established in September 1999, is responsible for devising and implementing regulatory measures for Chinese medicine.

Subsidiary legislation for the registration of Chinese medicine practitioners was enacted in June 2000. By the end of the application period in December 2000, the Chinese Medicine Council had received over 8 000 applications for listing as Chinese medicine practitioners under the transitional arrangements. The council announced the names of 7 707 listed Chinese medicine practitioners in December 2001. Assessment of the qualifications of these listed Chinese medicine practitioners for registration was completed in August 2002. The names in the first batch of registered Chinese medicine practitioners (over 2300) were announced in November. The remaining Chinese medicine practitioners must pass a registration assessment or a licensing examination prior to registration. The Registration Assessment will be conducted in early 2003 and the first Licensing Examination in mid-2003.

Subsidiary legislation for the regulatory control for Chinese medicines, which include licensing of traders of Chinese medicines and registration of proprietary Chinese medicines, was enacted in December. The regulatory systems would be implemented in phases from 2003.

Radiation Health

The Radiation Health Unit of the Department of Health is the Government's adviser on radiation safety and protection. It advises the Government on the protection of public health in the event of a nuclear incident, on the management of radioactive materials and wastes, and the effects on health of radiation exposure. It also serves as the executive arm of the Radiation Board, which is the statutory authority set up

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