KUALA LUMPUR: Traditional and complementary medicine manufacturers and suppliers can make certain claims about the medicinal values of their products from next year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said those who wanted to make such claims must first register their products with the ministry.

“We have formed a working committee to look into an approved list of claims for traditional medicine.

“Two categories have been identified for traditional claims – for ‘traditional health use’ and ‘traditional treatment’,” he said after launching the Fifth Global Bio-Herbs Eco­nomic Forum here yesterday.

The medicines, he added, could be registered online via the ministry’s website.

“The registration will be completed in 60 days,” said Liow, adding that lab tests would also be conducted to check on some of the claims.

He added that in some cases, traditional medicines would come with historical records sufficient to support the claim while some might need lab study evidence to justify the claim.

He said the ministry, through its working committee, was also looking at expanding the claims allowed for traditional medicine and health supplements.

Manufacturers and suppliers who wanted to register their products and make claims must have clear-cut evidence on what their traditional and complimentary medicines could do.

“But they cannot say it can be used to treat a disease,” said Liow.

He said herbal products must also conform to the highest standards of manufacturing to be able to compete in terms of quality, safety, efficacy, pricing and branding.

Liow urged all traditional and complementary medicine as well as herbal products manufacturers and suppliers to register their products before the Traditional and Com­plementary Medicine Bill is passed.

So far, 11,763 traditional medicines have registered with the ministry.

• Profit taking may weigh on Malaysian equities
• HP raises 2013 outlook as Whitman's plan takes hold
• Bernanke says more progress needed before stimulus pullback
• Wall Street falters in volatile session on Fed worries
• Aeon director: GST won’t affect group
• Petronas Chemicals Group to invest RM3bil in capital expenditure
• Weak CPO prices hit Boustead profit
• April CPI up 1.7% on higher food prices
• Report: AirAsia X sets indicative price for IPO
• MAEI sees 3%-4% rise in electrical, electronics exports
• Cahaya Mata Sarawak to invest in grinding plant
• Star to leverage on new, fast-growing businesses
• No plans for MBO, says Vincent Lee
• Axiata said to weigh bid for Axis Telekom Indonesia
• Scomi active as CEO raises stake

• Anti-Islamist protests flare following London attack
• 'British solider' butchered in suspected Islamist attack

• Ice queen Nicol into British Open quarters
• Australia to consider following ban on anchor putters
• Intxausti wins 16th stage, Nibali still keeps pink jersey
• Indonesia drawn to meet China again – in knockout stage
• Results worldwide
• Malacca sprinter Mohd Azam Masri out to create history by winning five events in MSSM meet
• Athletics runs in the veins of Vallabouy family
• Chinese long jumper Jinzhe claims another Olympic scalp
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• National badminton team’s lack of depth a glaring factor in home tourney
• Khim Wah-V Shem perform above expectations in Sudirman Cup debut
• Jindapon aims to qualify for 2016 Olympics
• Kenichi’s goal is to take Japan into Sudirman Cup semi-finals
• Dong-keun shows he’s a capable replacement
• Harrison makes swift U-turn

• Please wait.

• What comes after WYY?
• Chromebook to help rural pupils leapfrog into parity with urban peers
• We have to be humane to all who are put under arrest
• We must look at language as an asset
• Prime Minister to address global women conference
• Actress’ barking pet saves her from attacker in late night incident
• Petronas Chemicals Group to invest RM3bil in capital expenditure
• Report: AirAsia X sets indicative price for IPO
• Lower net profit for AirAsia
• Quality schools hold the key to good education