Pacific Symposium Updates 2017
Ideas are sparked every year at Pacific Symposium, and this year was no exception. It’s an event that attracts leaders and innovators in traditional Chinese medicine from across the country and beyond, and it’s always exciting to see what unfolds after new ideas are shared and connections made.
We enjoyed catching up with California’s state association for acupuncturists, CSOMA, who are relaunching in 2018 with a new website, online journal, Facebook group, and Conference & Expo May 17-18 in Oakland, CA: The Acupuncture Solution to Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic. We’ll see you there!
American Society of Acupuncturists is the organization that state associations like CSOMA work together with to make legislative change that helps everyone in our field, bringing more awareness to the public about the benefits of our medicine. They have co-sponsored a white paper on Acupuncture’s Role in Solving the Opioid Epidemic published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine this month. On November 8th they held a well-attended (and bi-partisan!) Congressional Briefing on the same topic. Congressional staff members were given acupuncture treatment, experiencing its effects for themselves. Remember, by joining your state organization, you are helping to make this work possible.
Mayway is a member of the American Herbal Products Association, and our President, Yvonne Lau met with the Chinese Herbal Products Committee of AHPA during the Symposium. AHPA is a trade association working to represent best practices in herbal medicine here in the U.S. and has recently released a free white paper on Best Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Compounding and Dispensing Practices, which is important reading for acupuncturists who want to further safety and respect for our branch of medicine. FDA compliance is a vital part of Chinese herbal medicine standards. The NCCAOM is now looking at developing a certificate program in Safe TCHM Compounding and Dispensing Practices based on this research. They are collecting feedback from acupuncturists and other stakeholders about this program, so let your voice be heard.
This year Pacific Symposium added some new features for exhibitors. Free onsite exhibitor lectures were offered for the first time, giving attendees a chance to learn more about using specific products or get behind the scenes with manufacturers. What would you like to know more about from Mayway next year?
Video interviews with exhibitors gave a quick taste of who we are and what products are trending. Our President Yvonne Lau gave a rundown on our Plum Flower® certified-organic raw herbs, Mayway’s custom prescription dispensary and more when she was interviewed.
We expect more news in upcoming months as the ideas and exchanges from the Symposium blossom and bear fruit. See you there next year!
