The Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 (“TCMA”) which regulates that traditional and complementary medicine in Malaysia received its royal assent 6 years ago on 2 March 2016. However, the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Regulations 2021 only came into effect on 1 March 2021.
That said, any person who intends to practise traditional and complementary medicine in any recognised practice area shall apply to the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Council (“TCM Council”) to be provisionally registered as a practitioner starting 1 March 2021. Failing which, he will be liable for a fine not exceeding RM30,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both (if he is a first offender). Furthermore, the court may also grant an order so that such person is not able to be registered until the expiry of 2 years from the date of conviction.
Pursuant to the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (Recognized Practice Areas) Order 2017, the recognized practice areas are traditional Malay medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Indian medicine, homeopathy, chiropractic, osteopathy and Islamic medical practice.
After being registered as a provisional practitioner, he is required to undergo a period of residency of not less than 1 year with any hospital or institution in Malaysia which is approved by the TCM Council unless he is exempted by the TCM Council. Thereafter, he may make an application to the TCM Council to be registered as a registered practitioner under Section 23 of the TCMA.
A registered practitioner shall also maintain valid and subsisting practising certificate and all prescriptions, reports or referrals shall bear the signature of the registered practitioner and the registration number of his practising certificate.
