Complementary fight is on
March 8, 2013
THE Cancer Council’s Position
Statement on complementary
therapies has caused a stir within
the industry, with many defending
the medicines, and taking umbrage
at the assertion that they be unsafe.
Speaking in the wake of the
statement, the Australian Self
Medication Industry (ASMI) said
that whilst it supports the
recommendation for patients to
discuss the use of these medicines
and therapies with their healthcare
practitioner, it does not agree with
the implication that complementary
medicines in general may cause
harmful side effects.
In addition, ASMI said it disagrees
with the statement that health
claims for many complementary
medicines are unproven.
“Complementary medicines play
a central part in Australia’s
healthcare system, particularly in
chronic conditions, minor ailments
and preventative health,” said ASMI
Regulatory and Scientific Affairs
Director, Steven Scarff.
“As the Cancer Council’s position
statement points out, relatively few
cancer patients and survivors use
complementary and alternative
medicines to directly treat cancer
or prevent it from returning.
“In addition, it is illegal for
complementary medicines to carry
claims about treating cancer”.
Scarff went on to argue that people
who use unsafe or ineffective
complementary medicines, and
ones that carry outrageous health
claims, have either purchased them
online or bought them overseas
where the safety and quality can
not be guaranteed.
“Australia has one of the highest
levels of control on quality and safety
when it comes to complementary
medicines,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Complementary
Healthcare Council of Australia
called the Cancer Council’s Position
Statement ‘alarmist’, saying that it
was concerned that the paper may
cause cancer sufferers and general
consumers to stop using legitimate
medicines, and treatments,
contradicting the Cancer Council’s
position of respecting the right of
individuals to seek information and
their decision to use such
medicines and therapies.
“Complementary medicines
listed on the ARTG are restricted to
indications and claims relating to
health maintenance, health
enhancement or non-serious, selflimiting
conditions,” said Dr Wendy
Morrow, ED of the CHC.
“Generally, they may not refer to
a serious form of a disease,
disorder or condition, or indicate
they are for treatment or prevention.
“Complementary medicine
products claiming to cure cancer
should be immediately referred to
the TGA- I am surprised the Cancer
Council do not know this”
“The Cancer Council have a done a
good job to confuse cancer sufferers,
despite their own research
identifying an Australian study that
claims that 90% of cancer patients
using complementary medicines
and therapies reported perceived
benefits such as improved quality
of life, and, reduced symptoms and
side effects,” she added.
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