Pharmacy Daily | CHC cites AIHW report

THE Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia has urged the government to foster “appropriate proactive policies” to recognise complementary medicines as a vital part of the health system. CHC ceo Carl Gibson cited the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Australia’s health 2014 report (PD 26 Jun), saying it highlights “the growing preference of individuals to take responsibility for their health.” He said the report found that while the proportion of total recurrent health expenditure on medicines rose from 11.7% in 2001-02 to 14.2% in 2011-12, the majority of the increase was related to unsubsidised over-the-counter and complementary medicines. Gibson said this was further evidence of “increasing consumer preference to take responsibility for their health,” with more than two out of every three Australians regularly using a complementary medicine product. He said over 40% of users take complementary products for chronic medical conditions. “Complementary medicines are an often underestimated part of the health care system that contribute strongly to wellbeing and that assist in the prevention of disease,” Gibson said.

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