[afro-nets] UN Guidelines on Safety of Alternative Medicines

[Claudio Schuftan <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

UN Guidelines on Safety of Alternative Medicines
------------------------------------------------
from Vern Weitzel <vern.weitzel@undp.org>

UN HEALTH AGENCY ISSUES GUIDELINES ON SAFETY OF ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINES
New York, Jun 23 2004 5:00PM

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today an-
nounced the publication of guidelines aimed at helping countries
and consumers navigate the largely unregulated world of alterna-
tive medicines.

The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today
(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2004/pr44/en/) an-
nounced the publication of guidelines aimed at helping countries
and consumers navigate the largely unregulated world of alterna-
tive medicines.

Up to 80 per cent of all people in the developing world rely on
traditional medicine for their primary health care, according to
(http://www.who.int/en/) WHO. In wealthy countries, many people
seek out various types of natural remedies on the assumption
that natural means safe. But reports of adverse reactions to
these treatments are on the rise.

"WHO supports traditional and alternative medicines when these
have demonstrated benefits for the patient and minimal risks,"
WHO Director-General Dr. Lee Jong-wook said. "But as more people
use these medicines, governments should have the tools to ensure
all stakeholders have the best information about their benefits
and their risks."

The guidelines provide simple, easy to follow tips on issues to
look out for and a brief checklist of basic questions which may
be used to help facilitate proper use of traditional and alter-
native medicine.

Advice is provided to government authorities on preparing easy-
to-access information and on working with the mass media to sen-
sitize and educate the population. In addition, suggestions are
given for several health system structures and processes needed
to promote proper use of traditional and alternative medicines.
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For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news