Developing Consumer Information on Proper use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Abstract

The use of traditional medicine (™) and Complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased significantly over the past few years, During the last decade, the use of complimentary medicine has increased in both developing and developed countries. Globalization has led to inter cultural exchange and widespread use of techniques and therapeutic product of CM often unknown to local communities. This Phenomenon requires Particular attention in order to avoid inadequate misunderstandings and inappropriate use that could be harmful to the individuals and subsequently affect entire communities. The important and strategic sector of consumer Protection, which has been considered as one of the priorities in economic health Care planning as outlined in the twenty objective. The priority runs parallel to the most recent World Health Assembly Resolution Traditional Medicine in 2003. which urged member states of the World Health Organization to provide reliable information on Traditional medicine (™) and CM to consumers and providers In order to promote proper use. The Regional Government and the World Health Organization have established a four year cooperation plan to develop technical guidelines and information on complementary Medicine to help ensure the safety of consumers. It is extremely important to create the condition for the correct and appropriate use of CM methods which, if used correctly, can contribute to the protection and the enhancement of patients can contribute to the protection and the enhancement of patients health and well being.

One of the main reasons for the increasing use of traditional medicine is a growing trend. for patient to take a more proactive approach to their own health and to seek out different forms of self-care. In the process many consumers have turned to natural traditional medicine products and practice, under the assumption that " Natural mean Safe". However this is not necessarily the case. A number of reports have revealed examples of incorrect use of traditional incidents of overdose, unknowing use of suspect or counterfeit herbal medicines, and unintentional injuries caused by unqualified practioner, In an effort to prevent similar incidents, there is a need to ensure that consumers are well informed about the proper use of traditional medicine. These guidelines are intended to provide technical guidance in order to assist member states in developing context- specific and reliable consumer information promoting proper use of traditional medicine (™) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In developing the information, health authorities are recommended to collaborate with range of stakeholders, representing different perspectives, including NGOs, Professional and consumer organizations and TM/CAM researchers. The objective of these guidelines are to provide an overview of the Key elements directly to consumer that must be in place in health systems in order to ensure proper use of TM/ CAM.

To describe the general principles and activities for the development of reliable consumer information about TM/ CAM To outline the key elements that should be taken into consideration when developing consumer information promoting proper use of TM/CAM.

The long-term goal is to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of TM/ CAM use by empowering consumers to become active participants in health Care and to make informed choices. WHO recognizes that efforts to promote the proper use of TM/CAM through consumer educational/ training must be supported by other measures such as the establishment of national laws and regulations to control herbal medicine products, efforts to ensure the qualified practice of TM/CAM therapies, and where appropriate, measures to control information about TM/CAM used in advertisement in a followup to the development of these guidelines, WHO is to organize a series of inter regional, regional, and national workshop, for the national health authorities and relevant NGOs on how to develop consumer information on the proper use of TM/CAM and how to organize education/ training programmes on this at a national level. Since the use of TM/CAM varies from country to country, national health authorities and NGOs should rely on their own specific situation to develop appropriate consumer information and relevant training programmes some government are already aware of the importance of consumer education in relation to the safe and effective use of TM/CAM and have developed consumer education information. It is important to note that such information should make use of enging pictures and easily understood language so that it is easily accessible to greater portion of the population.