Report Update from London 

At this meeting organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Integrated Healthcare on 22nd October Dame Sally, UK Chief Medical Officer, made a passionate presentation in which she highlighted the crisis threatened by the rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The meeting was chaired by Right Hon. David Tredinnick MP (Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group).

Professor Mei presented the advantages of using Chinese medicine and acupuncture as one of the solutions to the crisis. In response, Dame Sally explained how she was impressed by Chinese medicine during her visit to China and particularly with the contribution of artemisinin (Qinghaosu, an extract from Chinese herbal medicine) in the treatment of malaria.

She also highlighted, however, the concern for safety of Chinese medicine practice in the UK. Professor Mei reiterated the urgent need for regulation and the inclusion of Chinese medicine and acupuncture within the mainstream medical services in this country.