THE Australian Medical Association has released an updated position statement on complementary medicines, saying there is "little evidence to support the therapeutic claims made for most of these medicines and therapies".
AMA President Tony Bartone noted that in 2017 the revenue of the industry had reached $4.9 billion, including $630 million spent on herbal products and $430 million on weight loss items.
"The majority of complementary medicines do not meet the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as mainstream medicines, as they are not as rigorously tested," Bartone said.
He claimed that CMs pose a risk to patient health, either directly through misuse, or indirectly if a patient puts off seeking medical advice "or has spent so much on these products that they cannot afford necessary, evidence-based treatment".
The AMA is also urging better regulation of non-registered health practitioners such as naturopaths, herbalists and Ayurveda practitioners, and the establishment of a national public register of those who have been banned from working in their state or territory.
The AMA Position Statement on Complementary Medicine 2018 is available at ama.com.au.
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