CMs are effective – CMA
March 23, 2016
COMPLEMENTARY Medicines
Australia (CMA) has expressed
disappointment at the “misguided
approach” in this week’s Medical
Journal of Australia article dismissing
the benefits of complementary
medicines (CMs) (PD Mon 21 Mar).
CMA ceo Carl Gibson said the
article fails to “acknowledge the
significant and ever-growing body
of research that exists to support
these products.
“With two out of three people
using complementary medicines, it
will be a huge shame for Australian
consumers if this type of one-sided
approach influences the recognition
of the very real contribution that
complementary medicines can
make to health, wellness and
people-centred health care through
appropriate integration into health
systems,” he added.
In a CMA statement Gibson
highlighted recent reports
confirming both the efficacy
and cost-effectiveness of CMs,
especially in the prevention and
management of chronic conditions.
“A 2014 Frost & Sullivan report,
for example, ‘Targeted Use of
Complementary Medicines:
Potential Health Outcomes and
Cost Savings in Australia’ shows
robust links between several of the
more well-known complementary
medicines with reduced risk of a
secondary disease event among
high-risk groups, and with major
potential healthcare cost savings.”
Gibson said his primary concern
around the MJA editorial was that
such an approach “negates the
ability of health professionals to
participate in putting the patient
at the centre of care by declaring
that the use of an entire practice of
health management is ‘unethical’.”
The editorial simply highlights the
fact that “some fringe practitioners
fall short of the cohesive and
integrative approach that will
ultimately allow consumers to
access complementary medicines
in an effective, safe and respectful
manner,” he said.
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