Harney to introduce guidelines on complimentary medicines
A new report on complimentary or alternative medicine is calling for new guidelines to be put in place to regulate the sector.
The Report, which was presented to the Department of Health today, says a working group should be established to look at the complex issues involved for those who dispense acupuncture, herbal treatments and traditional Chinese medicine.
It also recommends the introduction of self-regulation.
The Minister for Health Mary Harney says she will be introducing changes in the law shortly to give the public more confidence in the area of alternative medicine.
“Shortly I'll be signing a statutory instrument to put into effect an EU directive which will bring greater clarity to the medicines area in particular. And they will have to be regulated from here on in by the Irish Medicines Board on the same basis as traditional medicine,” she said today.
“And that will be very reassuring from the public's perspective.”
