ATCMA Regulations
Chinese Herbal Formulas and Chiropractic Scope: Is There an Issue?
ATCMA has reviewed CCHPBC’s new Clinical Practice Standard on herbal medicines and natural health products and consulted with the BC Chiropractic Association. Our review found no evidence that the standard expands chiropractors’ scope of practice or newly authorizes them to prescribe Chinese herbal formulas. ATCMA continues to focus on restoring the restricted activity for prescribing and designing Chinese herbal formulas to protect the public and recognize the training of regulated TCM professionals.
ATCMA Member Guide: Questions to Ask Candidates in the 2026 BC Provincial Election
With the BC provincial election coming up on October 24, 2026, ATCMA has created this members-only resource to help you make an informed decision about the issues that matter to you, your patients, and our profession. As an ATCMA member, this is one of the many benefits of membership—providing you with information, tools, and resources to help you advocate for your TCM and acupuncture practice in BC. Use the questions and templates to connect with candidates in your riding and find out where they stand on the issues affecting our profession.
Chinese Herbal Formula Prescribing: The BC Government’s New Q&A
The BC Government has released a new Q&A clarifying the current status of Chinese herbal formula prescribing under the HPOA. While the Q&A confirms that TCM professionals have not lost the ability to prescribe, compound or dispense Chinese herbal formulas, ATCMA’s key concern—ensuring unregulated individuals cannot prescribe these specialized remedies—remains unresolved.
Don't Get Caught Off Guard: Important Regulatory Updates for TCM Practitioners
The regulatory environment for TCM practitioners continues to change, sometimes without clear notification. To help you stay informed and compliant, we've compiled some of the latest updates on advocacy efforts, practice expectations, and important reminders that we want our members to know. If you're not already an ATCMA member, we encourage you to join us. Your membership supports the advocacy work that protects and advances our profession while ensuring practitioners stay informed about important regulatory developments. Together, we can continue building a stronger future for Traditional Chinese Medicine in British Columbia.
BC TCM Practitioners Speak: Survey Highlights Key Concerns and Priorities for the Profession
What do BC Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners think about recent regulatory changes and the future of the profession? ATCMA's recent survey reveals widespread concerns about rising costs, regulatory uncertainty, and restrictions affecting core TCM competencies, while also demonstrating strong support for scope modernization and protecting the integrity of TCM as a complete healthcare system. These findings provide valuable insight into the priorities and challenges facing TCM professionals across British Columbia.
Canadians Want Change in Health Care. Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Be Part of the Solution.
A new national survey shows that Canadians want meaningful health system change, including better access to care, shorter wait times, and greater use of qualified healthcare professionals. This article explores how Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners and acupuncturists can help meet those goals through preventive care, patient education, pain management, and collaborative healthcare models, while highlighting key policy changes that could strengthen access to TCM services in British Columbia.
ATCMA Survey May 2026 Scope of Practice and Regulations
ATCMA is inviting TCM practitioners in BC to complete a survey on the recent HPOA regulatory changes and their impact on practice, costs, and scope. The feedback will help guide future advocacy efforts and support discussions with government and stakeholders. Please complete the survey by May 30, 2026.
ATCMA Leadership Meets with Ministry of Health: Positive Discussions About TCM Regulations and Scope of Practice
We're pleased to share an update on ATCMA's recent productive meeting with the Ministry of Health regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine regulations and scope of practice developments in British Columbia.
Defending Safe Herbal Practice: ATCMA Board Members Join Protest Against Regulatory Changes
ATCMA board members, Charity Cheng and Dr. Virginia Ding, attended a rally today to protest the BC government's removal of the restricted activity of prescribing, compounding, and dispensing Chinese herbal formulas, currently set to come into action on April 1, 2026.
Act Now To Protect Public Safety and Professional Standards
With the implementation of the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and our new Regulations, forthcoming changes will remove the restricted activity of prescribing Chinese herbal formulas beginning April 1, 2026. The consequence? An opening for unregulated individuals to prescribe, compound, and sell Chinese herbal medicine without oversight, training, or professional accountability.
Removing this vital protection is not just a bureaucratic change — it’s a fundamental threat to public safety and the integrity of our profession. Take action!
3 Ways to Act to Regain Our Restricted Activity of Prescribing Chinese Herbs
The prescribing of Chinese herbal formulas requires specialized education, clinical judgment, and regulatory oversight. ATCMA is sharing these options for practitioners and public to support the reinstatement of prescribing, compounding, and dispensing of Chinese herbal medicine as a restricted activity in British Columbia.