Page 24 - Traditional Medicine Systems of BIMSTEC Member States – 2023 Report

7. The regulatory system of TM professionals and TM

products

Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority is responsible

for licensing and monitoring all aspects of clinical knowledge and services related to all
TM professionals. All the TM products are monitored and regulated by the Bhutan
Food and Drug Regulatory Authority which is responsible to ensure safe and quality

traditional medicine products. Further, all the necessary medicinal resources required for

the production of traditional medicines are regulated by the Department of Forest
and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in collaboration with
TM fraternity.

8. National TM Pharmacopoeias

Today 123 essential traditional medicines are produced

based on the Bhutanese Traditional Medicine formulary and

monograph using more than 250 raw materials (high-altitude
medicinal plants, low-altitude medicinal plants and minerals). All
the essential medicines are rigorously checked for quality before

they are mobilised to the hospitals to ensure safe and quality

essential traditional medicines.

9. National Research Institutes

All the necessary research related to medicinal resources and traditional medicine
knowledge is jointly undertaken by the Ministry of Health, National Medical Services,
Department of Forest and park Services and the National Biodiversity Centre. At the

same time, all the issues related to the various medicinal products are overseen by the

National Traditional Medicine Services (NTMS) and Traditional Medicine Division (TMD)
with technical backstopping from the Menjong Sorig Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited
(MSPCL) and Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC).

10. Database/Web portal/Journal under National office

Though there is no comprehensive database related to TM, all the essential

databases (information) required like human resources, medicinal resources and TK

holders are maintained by the Traditional Medicine Division and National Traditional
Medicine Services. Bhutan

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