An ancient Chinese medicine credited with helping millions live longer is now the subject of a new study that's raising questions about its safety and efficacy, the New York Times reports.
Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Research Center for Chinese Medicine Innovation report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that while traditional Chinese medicine has been around for thousands of years, its safety and efficacy have been "inadequate" and it's time for the government and industry to work together to develop more effective and affordable versions of the medicine.
Specifically, the researchers call for an "evidence-based Chinese Medicine Research Centre in partnership with the Schools of Chinese Medicine in three local universities, as well as CM hospitals nationwide, and an International Supplement and Botanical Drug Research Centre" to create a research platform " conducive to more effective and widespread application of complementary and integrative CM-related healthcare solutions."
They also suggest the government support the creation of a "bio-digital product innovation hub" that would include sensors, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence in order to deal with a predicted staff shortage in the coming years due to an aging population and increasing chronic diseases, per a press release.
The Times notes that while more and more evidence is emerging that traditional Chinese medicine is safe and effective,
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