Alternative Therapies May Be Integrated By Government

Thursday, August 3rd 2000

• Tweet

A US$275,000 review of alternative medicine has been announced by New Zealand Heath Minister Annette King, who wants to know if the therapies are safe and effective.

If so, Ms King said it was possible that proven therapies could be integrated into the public health system and be taxpayer-funded. "Acupuncture was considered complementary medicine once and there is now some public funding for that and ACC funds it. Thinking has shifted." she says.

The Green party proposed the advisory committee for complementary medicine and Ms King agreed, accepting consumer demand for complementary health care was rapidly growing. She went on to say that "Where there are effective and safe health treatments available that are not dependent on expensive drugs, it is important we learn as much as possible about them and keep an open mind about how they can fit into the overall health structure."

Membership of the review committee is yet to be finalised. However Ms King said it would:
1. Advise whether complementary practitioners should be regulated to protect consumers.
2. Review overseas evidence-based research and advise on priorities for New Zealand research.
3. Investigate the benefits, risks and cost of complementary medicine.
4. Advise whether alternative therapies should be integrated into mainstream health.

Ms King said the committee would provide valuable advice on the ethical issues surrounding alternative medicine "rather than us flying by the seat of our pants". She said quality standards and safety were important issues and she would not support unproven therapies.

Money for the review comes from the Greens' budget. Health spokeswomen Sue Kedgley said it was the first step in her party's plan of integrating complementary health care into public health. The Greens hoped eventually to establish clinics where registered complementary health practitioners worked alongside GPs.

Medical Association head Poppa MacKay and alternative therapy spokesman Paddy Fahy welcomed the review.

Paddy Fahy, head of the NZ Charter of Health Practitioners Inc., hoped the committee would be made up of people "well-versed in complementary therapies, rather than medical practitioners who don't know the first thing about it." He hoped the committee's work would see alternative therapies become more accepted.

Excerpt of article by Miriyana Alexander from the NZ Herald 5 August 2000

Footnote: Within New Zealand we would encourage people to only deal with natural health practitioners who have both recognised qualifications, and who are also members of The New Zealand Charter of Health Practitioners Inc.

The Charter is a government recognised body that helps set natural health practitioner and industry standards within New Zealand.

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

 

ref:n23

• Tweet