Posted: January 13, 2005
ASHINGTON, Reuters January 12)-more research is needed to show that alternative therapies such as acupuncture and herbal supplements work, and this can mean changing the laws that protect the industry, an Expert Committee said Wednesday.
Almost one-third of Americans use these therapies, and it is increasingly important to standardize treatments and show if and how they work, the Institute of medicine Committee said.
He urged Congress and regulators to work with industry, researchers, consumers and advocates to find a way to test alternative approaches.
"The main message is that complementary and alternative therapy use is widespread and here to stay", Dr. David Eisenberg, an expert on complementary medical treatments and integrative in the Harvard Medical School, said in an interview. "The same rules of evidence of effectiveness and safety should apply irrespective of the origin of therapy".
The Institute of medicine, an independent panel that advises the Government on health, were asked to identify barriers to better research on complementary and alternative therapies.
The dietary supplement health and Education Act says supplements can be regulated as foods rather than drugs. This allows the manufacturers will not be responsible for the safety and efficacy of evidence.
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