On March 15, 2025, the seminar on Blockchain Applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Quality Control and Promotion was successfully held at the Hong Kong Productivity Council in Kowloon Tong. The seminar was organized by HerbChain Ltd, co-organized by The Li Dak-Sum Yip Yio-Chun TCM Research and Development Centre of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Pharmacists Association, with support from the Chinese Medicine Development Fund. Conducted in both online and offline formats, the event attracted approximately 300 participants from the TCM industry.
The seminar focused on blockchain technology as a tool for quality control and traceability in Chinese medicine, aiming to advance the digital transformation of the industry and enhance competitiveness. The sessions covered topics such as regulatory developments in Hong Kong and Mainland China, quality control and traceability of Chinese medicinal materials, and the practical applications of blockchain in the TCM industry.
A distinguished lineup of experts from government, academia, and industry shared their insights. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Chung Chi-ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine at the Hong Kong Department of Health, and Professor Shaw Pang-chui , Founder of HerbChain Ltd. Mr. Kong Chin-hong, Senior Pharmacist (Chinese Medicine) at the Department of Health, provided an overview of Hong Kong’s latest regulatory developments in TCM, while Director Li Hua from the Guangdong Drug Testing Institute discussed quality control and traceability strategies for Chinese medicinal materials.
Additionally, Mr. Chan Yu-ling, CEO and Chairman of PuraPharm, presented on the establishment and opportunities of the “Shouchuang Chinese Medicine Trade Platform” and Hong Kong’s role in high-quality development of the Chinese medicine industry, while Mr. Zhang Lixin, Director at China Red Pharmaceutical Group, explored Hong Kong’s digital Chinese medicine quality traceability system. Dr. Chan Kam-leung from CUHK’s School of Chinese Medicine analyzed the findings of an industry survey on blockchain applications in Chinese medicine, followed by an in-depth discussion with industry participants.
The final segment featured multiple experts discussing how blockchain technology facilitates the modernization of the Chinese medicine industry. Among them were Professor Shaw Pang-chui from HerbChain Ltd, Mr. Wong Tin-hang, Founder and Project Director of Ecliptic Technology Ltd, and Dr. Lo Wai-shun, who elaborated on how blockchain can be leveraged to record the production process of medicinal herbs and products, ensuring quality assurance and control while enhancing transparency.
As blockchain technology continues to expand its applications, this seminar provided the industry with forward-looking insights and actionable solutions to drive digitalization. The event concluded with a final summary by Professor Au Ching-tung, Honorary President of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Pharmacists Association and Professor at the Department of Food and Health Sciences of The Hong Kong Institute of Higher Education and Technology, leaving participants with valuable perspectives and reflections.
The successful execution of this seminar not only deepened industry professionals’ understanding of digitalization and blockchain in Chinese medicine but also laid a solid foundation for the future development of TCM in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Looking ahead, more such initiatives will help propel the industry toward smart and technology-driven advancements!