Conference on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN Countries
Bangkok, 31 August ? 2 September 2009
Conference on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN Countries
Bangkok, 31 August – 2 September 2009

ASEAN will soon come up with an Action Plan and Declaration on Traditional Medicine, following the Conference on Traditional Medicine in ASEAN Countries, ongoing in Bangkok.
“One-third of the population in developing countries lack access to modern and standard medical care; hence, the accessibility to safe, effective and quality traditional medicine will be important,” said Dr Surin in his opening address. “The provision of safe and effective traditional medicine could be a critical tool for increasing access to health care systems in many of our ASEAN countries. However, we have to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicine by putting in place harmonised standards, appropriate quality control system and common regulations in ASEAN”, he continued.
The Conference, themed “Regional Cooperation on Traditional Medicine towards its Utilisation in the National Health Care Systems and the Primary Health Care” is taking place from 31 August to 2 September.
It will discuss areas of collaboration in the generation and sharing of evidence-based information in traditional medicine and traditional knowledge; requirements for safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicine, and the integration of traditional medicine / complementary and alternative medicine into the health care system services. Other areas include the promotion of the use of traditional medicine in primary health care.