NDP to Remove Oversight of Chinese Medicine Prescriptions

Says Proposal Defies Common Sense and Public Safety, Urges British Columbians to Turn Out in Maximum Numbers for Public Rally Next Tuesday

Richmond, BC: Regarding the B.C. government’s plan to remove oversight of Traditional Chinese Medicine prescriptions effective April 1, BC Conservative Richmond–Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat attended a press conference today jointly hosted by five Traditional Chinese Medicine professional organizations. Following the event, Wat said the Ministry of Health is ignoring opposition from both the profession and the public and is proposing to “deregulate” TCM prescribing by allowing any unqualified, non-professional individual to prescribe TCM. This would directly undermine the safety framework that has protected British Columbians for more than two decades, a move that defies common sense and disregards public safety.

As the effective date draws closer, the government continues to dismiss objections raised by the profession. Even though NDP MLA Anne Kang attended the press conference today, she did not commit to immediately halting the proposed changes. For that reason, British Columbians must seize this opportunity to speak up for their own health and for public safety.

Wat urged British Columbians to attend the public rally next Tuesday (January 6) in downtown Vancouver in the largest numbers possible, to clearly convey their position to the provincial government. She said: “This is a public safety issue, and it can affect anyone. Please bring your family and friends, and help share this information. The larger the turnout, the clearer the message: the safety of British Columbians must come first.”

Wat emphasized that British Columbia has led the country for many years in the governance of Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet the government is now proposing a downward alignment that makes no sense. “If other provinces have weaker systems, they should learn from British Columbia, not the other way around. The idea of ‘because others do less, we should downgrade ourselves’ completely defies common sense. Once prescribing oversight is loosened, this is not a paper exercise. It directly affects whether standards can be enforced, whether complaints can be handled properly, and whether accountability is real. Patient safety cannot become the price of a political experiment.”

Wat said that over the past several months she has met with many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, and without exception they have expressed serious concern about the government’s direction. She added that she held a roundtable with practitioners in November, and in December also joined an online discussion with practitioners from British Columbia as well as Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. The message was clear: practitioners are deeply concerned that these changes could weaken public protection and accountability.

Wat called on the government to stop making decisions behind closed doors and to respond directly to professional expertise. “The government must bring transparency back into this process, clearly explain its rationale to the public, and consult openly with the profession and the communities that rely on these services. Do not make closed-door decisions, and do not continue to ignore the voices of professional organizations. This high-risk deregulation provides no benefit to the public, helps no one, and only increases avoidable risk. The government must immediately halt this ‘deregulation,’ maintain the current regulatory framework, and make decisions guided by common sense and public safety by listening to professional expertise and protecting British Columbians.”