Act Now To Protect Public Safety and Professional Standards

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been an integral part of healthcare for thousands of years, offering safe and effective care to patients seeking holistic treatment. In British Columbia, the prescribing, compounding, and dispensing of Chinese herbal medicine has been recognized as a restricted activity — meaning only regulated, trained professionals are legally permitted to perform these clinical tasks. This restriction protects patients by ensuring that only qualified practitioners with the appropriate education and clinical judgment can prescribe Chinese herbal formulas.

However, with the implementation of the new Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and our new Regulations, forthcoming changes will remove this vital protection 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.

Why This Matters

Removing the restricted activity of herbal prescribing is not just a bureaucratic change — it’s a fundamental threat to public safety and the integrity of our profession:

• Increased Risks to Public Safety: Without regulated standards, patients could be exposed to incorrect prescriptions, improper dosing, dangerous herb-herb or herb-drug interactions, and inadequate screening for contraindications. This could lead to irreversible health injuries and financial harm.

• Undermining the Core of TCM Practice: Prescribing herbal formulas is a cornerstone of clinical competence in TCM. It is an essential skill that distinguishes trained practitioners and ensures that herbal therapy is applied safely and effectively in patient care.

• Erosion of Professional Standards: Allowing unregulated practice dilutes the quality and trustworthiness of TCM services in communities. It jeopardizes the advancement of the profession and marginalizes qualified practitioners who have invested years in training and professional development.

For practitioners, this shift is more than a regulatory change — it’s a call to defend the very standards that define and sustain our profession.

Join the Rally: Stand for Regulation and Public Safety

To raise awareness and make our voices heard, TCM associations and practitioners are organizing a public rally in Vancouver:

Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza (West Georgia Street side, between Hornby & Howe)

This event is about visibility, education, and solidarity. It sends a clear message to policymakers that TCM professionals care deeply about patient safety and the future of regulated practice.

Dress Code:

• Healthcare Practitioners: White lab coats

• General Public & Supporters: Dark clothing

Transportation:
To avoid traffic and parking difficulties, public transit is recommended:
• SkyTrain — Canada Line (Vancouver City Centre Station) or Expo Line (Granville Station)
• Multiple bus routes serve downtown Vancouver

Your presence matters — whether you are a seasoned practitioner, a student, or an allied supporter of integrative health care.

Other Ways to Take Action

Attending the rally is just one way to support the cause. There are additional actions you can take to help protect the restricted activity of prescribing Chinese herbs and uphold public safety and professional standards in British Columbia. For a clear guide on how to participate beyond the protest — including advocacy steps, contacting decision-makers, and community mobilization — visit:
https://atcma.org/blog/3-ways-to-act-to-regain-our-restricted-activity-of-prescribing-chinese-herbs

Moving Forward Together

This is a pivotal moment for TCM in British Columbia. The decisions made today will shape the safety, credibility, and growth of our profession for years to come. By standing together — in person, in advocacy, and in community action — we can protect what matters most: high standards of care for our patients and integrity for our profession.