Registration of Chinese medicine pharmacists in Hong Kong is also a serious problem too. There is not registration system for the pharmacists. People without any license, degree or diploma can work in Chinese herbal medicine stores. We can’t make sure if they have learnt Chinese medicine or not. The duties of pharmacists are to check the prescriptions and give some suggestions to patients. If they haven’t study Chinese medicine, it is so (dangerous) for patients to follow their advices about illness. On the other hand, they may not discover any mistake in the prescription at once and just follow the prescription. Pharmacists with certificates can (protect the health of patients). We don’t need to worry that they will do something wrong on their works.
How about Chinese medicine practitioners? More than 200 graduates of TCM have completed their course every year. Nevertheless, there are few public Chinese clinics and relative jobs. More of them work in Chinese medicine shops, research institute of university or non-relative jobs. Less of them can become a practitioner as more patients always want the practitioner who is experienced. They don’t believe graduates can treat them. Therefore, lack of occupation is the serious problem. There are enough talents in TCM but no one accept them. At the same time, many practitioners come from midland. The competition is so hard. It is so difficult for graduates to find a job.