The Intellectual Property Protection Working Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies elected new leadership last week, pledging to address ongoing intellectual property challenges in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.

During the election, held on Thursday in Tianjin, a new president and secretary-general were chosen. Notably, the committee expanded its membership to include 21 members from foreign countries, including France, Russia, South Korea, and Australia. The new members comprise influential physicians, university professors, business executives, and experts in the TCM field, both from China and abroad.

Following the election, the committee hosted a seminar on Friday, focusing on the protection and inheritance of TCM intellectual property. Discussions centered on the industry's digital development and how TCM can support China's health strategy.

At the committee's third annual conference in Beijing last July, medical and IP specialists addressed the challenges of promoting patent protection for TCM globally. The committee highlighted the difficulty in securing TCM patents due to the technical complexity of the inventions and the challenges individuals face in articulating their contributions in a manner consistent with international patent standards.

The committee called on those involved in the TCM industry to prioritize IP applications as a means of promoting development. It also emphasized the need for IP experts to deepen their understanding of TCM to better address the industry's specific needs.