PROPOSED changes to the regulation of complementary and integrative medicines (CAM) are "nothing more than an attack" on alternative medicines, according to Marcus Blackmore.
In an open letter responding to the Medical Board of Australia's (MBA's) call to strengthen current guidance for doctors who provide complementary, unconventional medicine and emerging treatment, Blackmore rejected the call.
The MBA's proposals to tighten regulations around complementary medicines could also have a negative impact on pharmacies' bottom-lines, with market data showing the category accounts for 25% of pharmacy sales.
"The Board's public consultation paper on Clearer regulation of medical practitioners who provide complementary and unconventional medicine and emerging treatments is born of prejudice and ignorance and must be seriously challenged," he said.
Blackmore said the current MBA code of conduct offered sufficient guidance to doctors who have embraced CAM as a preventative or supplementary treatment option.
"The proposed new draconian regulation is simply unnecessary," he said.
"Furthermore it is wrong for MBA to group CAM with unconventional medicine and emerging treatments. CAM is safe and has nothing in common with these treatments."
Pharmacists can make submissions about the proposed regulations HERE before 12 Apr.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Apr 19
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 04 Apr 19
