The Macao Centre for Testing of Chinese Medicine (MCTCM) of the University of Macau (UM) held its first promotion event today (18 February), with the aim of strengthening connections with the industry, promoting the development of the Chinese medicine and ‘big health’ industries, and providing technical support for Macao’s economic diversification. More than 60 government officials and industry practitioners attended the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lei Sai Ian, vice president of the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, said that ‘Drug testing and inspection are fundamental cornerstones of pharmaceutical supervision and management. Through scientifically rigorous testing methods, we can effectively monitor the quality of medicines and ensure the safety of our citizens’ medication. More importantly, a well-established drug inspection system can enhance public confidence in local drugs and traditional Chinese medicine products. By collaborating with third-party testing services, we aim to work with the Macao Centre for Testing of Chinese Medicine to support the innovative development of Chinese medicine and promote the health industry in Macao.’
Ge Wei, vice rector of UM, mentioned that UM will continue to promote the economic diversification of the Macao SAR and support the work and development of MCTCM.
Li Shaoping, director of UM MCTCM, gave an overview of the centre’s development, technical features, and development goals. He said that MCTCM will provide high-quality technical support for the registration of Chinese medicines in Macao and the quality control of Chinese medicines in the market.
The Department of General Management of UM MCTCM also introduced the centre’s range of services and fees, as well as its customer service platform. Through the MyLIMS electronic platform, clients can consult, submit requests, and make enquiries. After the event, the participants visited the centre’s laboratory and had further discussions on cooperation.
Also present at the event were: Cen Jiayi, director of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Loi I Leng, acting deputy director of the Health Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Iong Nin Fai, acting department head of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Cheang Kun Wai, member of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao; Chao Pang, senior manager of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of Macao; Li Peng, deputy director of the UM Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and director of the UM Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine; Di Lijun, assistant dean of the UM Faculty of Health Sciences; Zhao Yonghua, interim associate head of the Macau Institute for Translational Medicine and Innovation, UM; Jay Chun, chairman of Paradise Entertainment Limited; Kuan Peng Kun, executive director of the Macau Medical and Health Federation; Kuan Su Kun, president of the Macau Chinese Medicine Industry Guild, Kuan Su Kun; and Liang Zhiming, director of production operations of Nan Yue Natural Medicine Co Limited.
Since its establishment, UM MCTCM has been committed to fully leveraging Macao’s strengths and technical characteristics. Its goal is to ‘base itself on international standards, develop Macao testing, achieve Macao certification, and assist in the industrialisation and internationalisation of Macao’s Chinese medicine’. The centre focuses on promoting the development of specialised projects in Chinese medicine testing and the application of research results. It aims to utilise its strengths in establishing international standards for Chinese medicine to create a connotation of ‘Macao quality’ of ‘products made in Macao’, ‘products inspected by Macao’, and ‘products supervised by Macao’, thereby providing strong technical support and guarantees for the establishment and development of Macao’s Chinese medicine brands.
UM MCTCM is a third-party testing institution designated by the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau (ISAF) of the Macao SAR Government and also serves as a cooperative institution for external testing services through the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM). As of the end of 2024, nearly 120 testing items of the centre have been accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), covering most of the requirements for traditional Chinese medicine testing capabilities as outlined in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. MCTCM will provide high-quality, efficient, and intelligent services to its clients. The team at the centre will also continuously enhance its testing capabilities with a commitment to serving Macao’s Chinese medicine industry and establishing a hub for quality testing certification in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
