John Gormley
Question:89 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to support complementary medicine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9966/01]
Written Answers. - Complementary Medicine.
There are two areas in relation to complementary medicine on which I have made proposals. First, the nature of an interim licensing scheme for traditional use medicines which might be put in place which would allow such products to be lawfully marketed in this country and, second, a consultative forum to discuss the issue of statutory registration of providers of non-conventional medicine and therapy.
The debate last year concerning traditional medicinal products served to alert the public to the fact that "natural" does not always equate with safety where medicinal products are concerned. The number of traditional medicinal products on the market is increasing and the fact that they are largely unlicensed and not subject to control is a matter of concern. There is increasing interest in these products and I am concerned to ensure that the public interest is protected and that there is no undue delay in ensuring that this objective is achieved.
The debate on traditional medicinal products has also highlighted the lack of a common approach at EU level in regard to the regulation of these products. While the matter is being addressed by a working group set up by the EU Pharmaceutical Committee in 1999, it is not anticipated that there will be an early resolution to the significant lack of harmonisation in this area. In recognition of these difficulties I have asked the Irish Medicines Board and officials of my Department to investigate the possibility of developing an interim licensing system for traditional use products which would allow such products to be lawfully marketed in this country.
The board has recently submitted an interim report on the matter to my Department and has set up anad hoc committee to advise on scientific and policy issues relating to the proposed scheme. This group includes persons with backgrounds in both conventional and non-conventional medicine. The Irish Medicines Board is anxious to ensure that the general public and interested organisations have a mechanism by which to make their views known in the course of this process. I share the board's concern in this matter. The board is therefore continuing to consult with the various interested groups and individuals and has advised me that following further consultation with interested parties, a draft of the final proposal will be submitted to me later this year.
I have also proposed that a consultative forum be held to discuss the issue of statutory registration of providers of non-conventional medicine and therapy. A date for this forum has yet to be decided, but it is likely to occur in the course of this year.
The purpose of this forum will be to explore the practical issues that would be involved in preparing a system of statutory registration for these practitioners. These issues have already been initially discussed in talks between officials of my Department and representatives of the relevant professional bodies. Due to the complexities of this issue, I propose to engage a consultant to arrange and facilitate the forum and to work with the relevant therapists in examining the issue further. The issues to be addressed in this exercise will include the following: the categories of therapist to be covered – qualifications, scope of practice, experience, protection of the public, and promotion of a quality service.
Any body of work will naturally have to take account of the regulatory situation governing alternative therapists in other countries and the proposals which my Department is developing for the health and social care professionals.
In the interim, the Department encourages the various therapeutic groups to develop mechanisms for informing the general public of the availability of services from reputable therapists and to establish their own voluntary regulatory structures in preparation for a scheme of statutory registration. Many have embraced this form of self-regulations and adopted codes of practice and ethics, professional profile portfolio based registers, complaints procedures and insurance schemes within their own membership facility.