The northern province of Quang Ninh called for investments in theapplication of science and technology in herbal medicine productionduring a conference in Ha Long city on November 9.
According to Truong Quoc Cuong, head of the Medical ManagementDepartment at the Ministry of Health, more than 4,000 out of Vietnam’s 12,000 flora species have medicinal properties, making Vietnam amedicinal plant hub in Southeast Asia.
Nearly60,000 tonnes of herbal medicine is used in Vietnam every year, whilethe country only has the capacity to produce around 15,600 tonnes andimports the rest from other countries, including China and Singapore, he noted.
Cuong said Vietnam should make full use of its abundance of medicinal plants to boost its pharmaceutical sector.
Deputy Minister of Health Le Quang Cuong said maximising Vietnam’sadvantage in medicinal plants was one of the key components of thenational strategy on the development of the pharmaceutical sector until2020 with a vision to 2030.
The strategy states thatby 2020 Vietnam should meet 20 percent of the demand forpharmaceutical materials, and meet 80 percent of the total domesticdemand for medicine, with 30 percent of medicine made from medicinalplants, he said.
Currently, Vietnam has to import nearly 90 percent of its materials needed by the medical sector, he noted.
He also pointed out a number of shortcomings in the cultivation andexploitation of medicinal plants in Vietnam, including theunsustainable harvesting of medicinal plant resources, and a lackingapplication of appropriate science and technology in the production ofherbal medicine.
The official said he hopedinvestors would get involved in the development of medicinal resources,thus providing more high-quality products to the market.
Quang Ninh has long been known for its medicinal plant resourcesthanks to its favourable natural conditions and expertise in usingmedicinal plants.
The province sells a large amount of herbal medicine on the domestic market, said Cuong.
At the conference, Quang Ninh announced the establishment of asteering committee for the creation of Yen Tu national garden topreserve and develop medicinal plants. It also granted licences to anumber of investors in herbal medicine production.-VNA
According to Truong Quoc Cuong, head of the Medical ManagementDepartment at the Ministry of Health, more than 4,000 out of Vietnam’s 12,000 flora species have medicinal properties, making Vietnam amedicinal plant hub in Southeast Asia.
Nearly60,000 tonnes of herbal medicine is used in Vietnam every year, whilethe country only has the capacity to produce around 15,600 tonnes andimports the rest from other countries, including China and Singapore, he noted.
Cuong said Vietnam should make full use of its abundance of medicinal plants to boost its pharmaceutical sector.
Deputy Minister of Health Le Quang Cuong said maximising Vietnam’sadvantage in medicinal plants was one of the key components of thenational strategy on the development of the pharmaceutical sector until2020 with a vision to 2030.
The strategy states thatby 2020 Vietnam should meet 20 percent of the demand forpharmaceutical materials, and meet 80 percent of the total domesticdemand for medicine, with 30 percent of medicine made from medicinalplants, he said.
Currently, Vietnam has to import nearly 90 percent of its materials needed by the medical sector, he noted.
He also pointed out a number of shortcomings in the cultivation andexploitation of medicinal plants in Vietnam, including theunsustainable harvesting of medicinal plant resources, and a lackingapplication of appropriate science and technology in the production ofherbal medicine.
The official said he hopedinvestors would get involved in the development of medicinal resources,thus providing more high-quality products to the market.
Quang Ninh has long been known for its medicinal plant resourcesthanks to its favourable natural conditions and expertise in usingmedicinal plants.
The province sells a large amount of herbal medicine on the domestic market, said Cuong.
At the conference, Quang Ninh announced the establishment of asteering committee for the creation of Yen Tu national garden topreserve and develop medicinal plants. It also granted licences to anumber of investors in herbal medicine production.-VNA
