Commercialism, choice and consumer protection: regulation of complementary medicines in Australia

Masters, C Scott

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01904.x

Topics

To the Editor: Harvey et al1 have a right to be concerned about the parlous state of regulation in the billion-dollar complementary medicine (CM) industry. They are not alone, with various leaders from CM doctor groups and other leaders also expressing concern.2,3

Musculoskeletal Medicine, Caloundra Sports Medicine Centre, Caloundra, QLD.

Correspondence: k.harvey@medreach.com.au

Competing interests:

I have been paid speaker fees and travel allowances to speak on musculoskeletal medicine topics by Boehringer, Pfizer, Mundipharma and Merck Sharpe & Dohme.

1. Harvey KJ, Korczak VS, Marron LJ, Newgreen DB. Commercialism, choice and consumer protection: regulation of complementary medicine in Australia. Med J Aust 2008; 188: 21-25. <MJA full text>
2. Bethell G. Alternative therapy regulation under fire. Medical Observer 2008; 18 Jan. http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/displayarticle/index.asp?articleID=8810&templateID=105&url=http://Lock:87%2Fsearch%2Fsearch%2Easp?keywords%3Dalternative%2Btherapy%26x%3D0%26y%3D0 (accessed Feb 2008).
3. Smith P. Experts attack TGA loophole. Australian Doctor 2008; 1 Feb.
4. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Pan Pharmaceuticals Limited — regulatory action and product recall information. Canberra: TGA, 2003. http://www.tga.gov.au/recalls/2003/pan.htm (accessed Feb 2008).
5. Medical Board of Queensland v Raddatz. Health Practitioners Tribunal. File No: D. 2392 of 2000. Delivered 8 Sep 2000. http://archive.sclqld.org.au/qjudgment/2000/QHPT00-001.pdf (accessed May 2008).
6. See DM, Gurnee K, LeClair M. An in vitro screening study of 196 natural products for toxicity and efficacy. JANA 1999; 2: 25-41.
7. Evans D. Mannatech using disputed study to boost sales of its products. New York: Bloomberg, 1999; 4 Aug. http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/mannatech02.htm (accessed May 2008).

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