In-Depth Report: Pharmacists Protest MOHW Policy Change Allowing Unlicensed Sale of Traditional Chinese Medicine
TAIPEI – In a rare show of unified dissent, approximately 5,000 pharmacists filled Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office on Sunday, protesting a new directive issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). The policy, which reinterprets Article 103 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, allows individuals without a pharmacist license to continue operating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) businesses under certain conditions.
📌 What Changed?
On March 18, the MOHW announced that individuals with a history of operating TCM businesses can legally continue selling herbal products even if they do not hold a pharmacy license. The only requirements are:
- Proof of prior operation of a TCM business.
- Completion of 35 academic credits across five subject areas, including:
- Medicinal material identification
- Processing and storage
- Pharmacological fundamentals
- Regulatory understanding
- Business operations
Additionally, individuals with practical experience and a background in pharmacognosy or TCM studies may also qualify after completing the coursework.
🚨 Pharmacists Raise Red Flags
The protest, organized by the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations (FTPA), is not merely about professional turf—it reflects deeper concerns about public health and the dilution of pharmaceutical oversight.
Huang Chin-shun, FTPA President, criticized the policy:
“If TCM is treated as food, there would be no objection. But as long as it’s classified as medicine, only licensed professionals should be allowed to sell it.”
He argued that 35 credits do not equate to the years of education and national examination required of licensed pharmacists.
Key concerns raised by FTPA:
- Safety risks from unregulated drug handling.
- Lack of accountability from unlicensed vendors.
- Undermining the role of certified pharmacists, who undergo rigorous training.
📈 TCM Industry Trends and Diverging Perspectives
Over the past two decades, the number of TCM businesses employing licensed pharmacists has tripled—from 421 to 1,279, signaling growing demand for professional oversight.
Despite this, MOHW’s Su Yi-chang, director of the Department of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, defended the move:
“Chinese medicine requires expertise that standard pharmacy exams don’t cover. This policy acknowledges the uniqueness of TCM practice.”
Meanwhile, Hsieh Ching-tang, Chairman of the National Union Chinese Medicine Association of R.O.C., warned that TCM is facing extinction without new talent entering the field:
“Why are pharmacists so nervous? We welcome newcomers. The industry needs survival, not suffocation.”
This ongoing debate highlights a deep divide between modern regulatory frameworks and centuries-old traditional practices.
🔍 Deeper Issues at Stake
This clash is not just bureaucratic—it reflects a broader struggle between:
- Regulatory modernization vs traditional trade practices
- Safety oversight vs cultural preservation
- Pharmacist professionalism vs market liberalization
While the MOHW sees this policy as inclusive and industry-saving, pharmacists view it as a dangerous precedent that weakens the regulatory architecture meant to protect consumers.
📝 FAQs
Why are pharmacists protesting the MOHW directive?
They believe allowing unlicensed individuals to sell medicinal TCM undermines pharmaceutical safety, lowers professional standards, and endangers public health.
What does the MOHW policy actually allow?
It lets non-licensed individuals with past TCM business experience and 35 academic credits in designated fields continue selling traditional remedies legally.
What qualifies someone under the new regulation?
Proof of TCM business operation or pharmacognosy background plus 35 credits across five topics.
Is TCM considered a drug or food under Taiwanese law?
TCM is classified as a drug, not food, which is why pharmacists argue it requires licensed handling.
Is there a national licensing exam for TCM sellers?
No. That is one of the pharmacists’ core criticisms—they argue that TCM handlers should pass the same national pharmacy standards.
