The Launch of the Pan-European Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies

Amsterdam, Netherlands

              29th September 2001, this is a big day for all 150,000 Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)practitioners, researchers and related business trading companies in Europe.

 The "Pan-European Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies" (PEFOTS) is formally launched in Amsterdam. Over 200 guests and delegates attended the launching ceremony. Chinese Ambassador to The Netherlands, MR. ZHU Zusou,  MR. Erniel van Galen, Head Section, Homeopathy, Deputy-Secretary to the Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, and MR. LI Daning, Senior Official from the State Administration for TCM, China, also attended the launch ceremony.

 The launch of the PEFOTS symbolizes the unity of all TCM practitioners, ushering in a new phase for Chinese medicine, and a further development of Chinese medicine in Europe will be anticipated in the near future under the leadership of PEFOTS.

              The Pan-European Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies is a non-governmental organization, composed of TCM societies and organizations in Europe. All members have academic and research-institution background and are TCM practitioners.      

 As we all know traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced for over a thousand years. Chinese medicine is a unique medical system. This medical practice is able to complement western orthodox medicine and other alternative therapies. About 300 years ago, Chinese medicine reached the West, since then this medical practice has played an important role in the maintenance of the European people's health and in combating diseases.  

Statistics show that there are over 150,000 qualified TCM practitioners in Europe who have gained proper training in Acupuncture and Chinese medicine either at European training institutes or at Universities and Colleges in the People's Republic of China. Among these, some were already qualified as general medical doctors, dentists and physiotherapists. Of these 150,000 TCM practitioners, most practice mainly acupuncture, only 30-40% are practicing both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. There are over 200 TCM institutes in Europe, where training 3,000 TCM practitioners are trained each year. There are over 220 trade companies, which import Chinese medicinal   products. Unfortunately, there is no single organization which co-ordinates and promotes TCM in Europe.

The status of TCM practitioners has not yet been formally recognized. Few TCM training programs obtain state accreditation. National Health Service or private medical insurance seldom covers Chinese medicine treatment expenses.

In order to find solutions to these stalemates, more than 55 delegates from 15 European countries, representing TCM associations and research institutes came to Amsterdam at the beginning of this year. The delegates strongly felt that it is necessary to set up a Pan-European Federation of TCM Societies at this moment to co-ordinate and promote TCM in Europe.
Chinese government provided full support during the preparatory phase: Professor She Jing - Vice-Minister of the Health Department and Director of the State Administration for TCM visited the Netherlands early this year. After consultation with TCM experts and practitioners, Professor She Jing pointed out that unity of all TCM organizations is the only correct way to develop         TCM in Europe.

The Pan-European Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies has been registered in the Netherlands on 29th September 2001. There are 45 TCM organizations from different European countries who have joined the Federation.

PEFOTS main target is to reinforce unity among TCM organizations; to promote the development of TCM in Europe. In order to achieve this purpose, the federation will emphasize the following aspects: promotion of western medicine and Chinese medicine integration; establishment of communication networks with the European Parliament; promotion of a legislative procedure within the European Parliament; rehabilitation of TCM image in the eye of public; establishment of a standardized code of ethics for TCM practitioners; standardized TCM textbooks and journals publishing.

The Federation has set up four working committees: Legal Affairs; Science and Education; Public Relations Committee; Ethics; Quality Control. Each working committee has its own agenda and working proposals.

            PEFOTS will invite senior officials and well-known scholars to act as senior advisors. Currently, Professor LI Zhen-ji, Vice-Minister of the State Administration for TCM, and Professor REN Dequan, Vice-Minister of State Administration for Drug Control Committee have accepted to be advisors of the federation.

 PEFOTS is going to emphasize the following five points: academic and professional development, annual academic conference and seminars on several topics; communication with the European Parliament and governments in order to achieve the Statutory Legislation; establishment of a code of practice and a code of ethics for the practice of Chinese medicine and the protection of the public; assistance to health authorities in Chinese medicinal quality control; unification all TCM organizations and Societies.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine have been proven through thousands of years of clinical trials and current series of scientific research. This old healing art is a cultural heritage of mankind, belongs not only to China, but also to the whole world. It is becoming more popular around the world today.