Professor
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Center
for Chinese Medicine and School of Life Sciences,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Presenter/Author:
Pang-Chui SHAW
Other Author:
NA
Author Affiliation:
Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Center for Chinese Medicine and School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T, Hong Kong, China
Keywords:
Chinese Medicine; Supply Chain; Source Tracking; Quality Assurance; Authentication
Abstract:
The use of medicinal herbs is popular worldwide. On the market, there is no comprehensive blockchain-based system to track the processes from plantation to manufacturing and to sale. With the advancement of information technology, we have developed a one-stop information platform -「HerBChain」 for recording the processes from the growth of herbs to the marketing of herbal products using Blockchain technology. The implementation of blockchain technology is to minimize the manipulation of recorded information. HerBChain is an information platform operated as a social enterprise for recording the six important processes of herbal product manufacturing and marketing, which include planting base, TCM processing factory, TCM manufacturing factory, distributor, retailer and laboratory or testing centre. By duly recording the parameters and data essential for product quality in manufacturing and supply chain, the traceability and reliability of the products can be ensured. Apart from providing quality control information, it also aims at facilitating online and offline transactions. This makes「HerBChain」a reliable and convenient quality control platform for the herbal industry to reach the goal of “Traceable Origin, Trackable Supply Chain, and Accountable Liability”. Objectives of HerBChain include: (1) to enhance the quality assurance and quality control of herbal materials and herbal products; (2) to promote modernization and internationalization of Traditional Chinese medicine; (3) to facilitate the trading of high-quality medicinal materials and products.
Reference:
The GP-TCM Research Association January 2021 Newsletter. Feature Story – A Blockchain Platform for Chinese Medicine
Yik MHY, Taam Wong VCW, Wong TH, Shaw PC. (2021) HerBChain, a blockchain-based informative platform for quality assurance and quality control of herbal products. J. Tradit. Complement. Med. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.07.005.
Funding Source:
Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Conflict of Interests:
The author reports no conflicts of interest related to this study.
Professor Pang-Chui Shaw obtained his Ph.D degree from Imperial College, University of London, UK. He is now Director of Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R & D Centre for Chinese Medicine, Professor and Director of Biochemistry Programme, School of Life Sciences and Deputy Director of Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is now member of the Advisory Committee, Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, HKSAR and Director of two companies on authentication and quality assurance of herbal material and products. His research areas include authentication and pharmacological study of Chinese medicinal material and structure-function study on pharmacological important proteins. He has trained 34 Ph.D and 31 M.Phil. students, published more than 250 refereed articles, three books and has obtained four USA and four Chinese patents.